Meaning and Origin
What does the name Davit mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Davit
User Submitted Origins
Armenian
55%
Georgian
32%
Jewish
5%
Indonesian
5%
Indian (Sanskrit)
5%
User Submitted Meanings
- According to a user from Georgia, the name Davit is of Georgian origin and means "As far as I know it's just like David but in Armenian and Georgian. It originates from bible".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Dav"it
A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship; -- called also the fish davit.Curved arms of timber or iron, projecting over a ship's side of stern, having tackle to raise or lower a boat, swing it in on deck, rig it out for lowering, etc.; -- called also boat davits.
Etymology: Cf. F. davier forceps, davit, cooper's instrument, G. david davit; all probably from the proper name David
Other Dictionary Sources
- A crane-like device (usually one of a pair) for suspending or lowering equipment (as a lifeboat)
Wiktionary
The word davit is derived from Middle English and Old French daviot, which is a diminutive of David; thus it means "little David", maybe because those small cranes can handle a much bigger lifeboat.
- (nautical) A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship.
- (nautical, construction) A crane, often working in pairs and usually made of steel, used to lower things over an edge of a long drop off, such as lowering a maintenance trapeze down a building or launching a lifeboat over the side of a ship.