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countable and uncountable, plural shipwrecks
A ship that has sunk or run aground so that it is no longer seaworthy. quotations examples
heaven will drive shipwrecks ashore to make us all rich
1670, John Dryden, William D'Avenant, The Tempest
(countable, uncountable) An event where a ship sinks or runs aground. quotations examples
they made the coast of Cochin China, and the tempests, which rose at the same time, threatened them more than once with shipwreck
1688, John Dryden, The Life of St Francis Xavier
(figurative) destruction; ruin; irretrievable loss quotations examples
Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1 Timothy 1:19
It was upon an Indian bill that the late ministry had made shipwreck.
1879, John Morley, Burke
third-person singular simple present shipwrecks, present participle shipwrecking, simple past and past participle shipwrecked
To wreck a boat through a collision or mishap. examples