a taunto

English

Etymology

French autant (“as much (as possible)”).

Adjective

a taunto (not comparable)

1. (nautical) Of a ship, especially a tall square-rigged one: in which all running rigging is hauled taut; having all spars hoisted aloft; having all sails set.
   • 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter 11, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC:

     She was a noble vessel. Trim, ship-shape, all a taunto, as Captain Swosser used to say. You must excuse me if I occasionally introduce a nautical expression; I was quite a sailor once.

2. Prepared, ready, fit.
   • 1836, John Thomas Haines, The Ocean Life, act I, scene 1:

     No need of side-ropes, lads, for these marble companions. My eyes! here's a cabin all a taunto.

Alternative forms

• ataunt, ataunto