/'æŋkə(r); `æŋkɚ/
n
1 heavy metal device attached to a rope, chain, etc and used to moor a ship or boat to the sea-bottom or a balloon to the ground 锚, 锚固装置（用缆, 链等连接着的金属设备, 用以将船舶固定于海底或将气球固定在地面上）
*They brought the boat into the harbour and dropped (the) anchor. 他们把船开进海港下锚停泊.
2 (fig 比喻) person or thing that gives stability or security 可以依靠的人或事物; 靠山; 後盾.
3 (idm 习语) at `anchor moored by the anchor 抛锚停泊
*We lay at anchor outside the harbour. 我们在港外抛锚停泊. bring (a ship)/come to `anchor stop sailing and lower the anchor 停航抛锚. cast anchor => cast. ride at anchor => ride2. slip anchor => slip2. weigh anchor => weigh.

v [I, Tn] lower an anchor; make (sth) secure with an anchor 抛锚; 用锚固装置固定（某物）
*We anchored (our boat) close to the shore. 我们近岸抛锚停泊（船）.