steerage (steraj)

[Early mod. E. also steer idge, stirrage; steer + -age.] 1. The act, practice, or method of steering; guidance; direction; control; specifically, the direction or control of a ship in her course. By reason of the euil stirrage of the other ship, we had almost boorded each other. Hakluyt's Voyages , II. 110. But He that hath the steerage of my course Direct my sail! Shak ., R. and J., i. 4. 112. 2. That by which a course is steered or directed. [Rare.] Inscribed to Phœbus, here he hung on high The steerage [remigium] of his wings. Dryden, Æneid, vi. 24. 3. Naut., the effect of the helm on a ship; the manner in which the ship is affected by the helm: as, she was going nine knots, with easy steerage.-4. A course steered; a path or way; a course of conduct, or a way of life. no rudder. Al stere le withinne a boot am I. Chaucer, Troilus, i. 416. Like to the steer le boat that swerves with every wind. Surrey, Eccl. iil. steerling (ster'ling), n. [ -ling1 .] A young steer. To get thy steerling , once again I'le play such another strain. Herrick , A Beucolick, or Discourse of Neatherds.