vessel-borne
|ves-sel-borne|
🇺🇸
/ˈvɛsəl-bɔrn/
🇬🇧
/ˈvɛsəl-bɔːn/
carried by a vessel
Etymology
'vessel-borne' originates from English, specifically the words 'vessel' and 'borne', where 'vessel' ultimately comes from Latin 'vas' (via Old French and Medieval Latin) meaning 'container' and 'borne' is from Old English 'beran' meaning 'to carry'.
'vessel' entered English via Old French and Medieval Latin (e.g. Latin 'vas', Medieval Latin 'vascellum'), while 'borne' is the past participle form of Old English 'beran' (Middle English 'borne'); the compound 'vessel-borne' is a Modern English formation combining these elements to mean 'carried by a vessel'.
Initially the components referred to 'container' ('vessel') and the action 'to carry' ('borne'); over time the compound came to be used specifically for things 'carried by a vessel' (especially ships) and, in specialized contexts, 'transported within vessels' such as blood vessels.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
carried or transported by a vessel (typically a ship or boat); conveyed on or in a sea or watercraft.
The cargo was vessel-borne and scheduled to arrive at the next port.
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Adjective 2
carried or transmitted within a vessel (e.g., within blood vessels or other tubular vessels) — used in medical or biological contexts.
Certain pathogens can be vessel-borne, spreading through the host's circulatory system.
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Last updated: 2026/01/08 06:56