- Slender boat - Venetian boat - A long, narrow boat with a high prow and stern, used in
the canals of Venice. A gondola is usually propelled by one or two
oarsmen who stand facing the prow, or by poling. A gondola for
passengers has a small open cabin amidships, for their protection
against the sun or rain. A sumptuary law of Venice required that
gondolas should be painted black, and they are customarily so painted
now. - A flat-bottomed boat for freight. - A long platform car, either having no sides or with very
low sides, used on railroads.