bitter

Any turn of a cable about the bitts is called a bitter. Hence a ship is "brought up to a bitter" when the cable is allowed to run out to that stop.

← bite × bitter-bump →

Bitter
·vt To make bitter. II. Bitter ·noun AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts. III. Bitter ·v...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Bitter
Bitterness is symbolical of affliction, misery, and servitude (Ex. 1:14; Ruth 1:20; Jer. 9:15). The ...

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Bitter spar
·- A common name of dolomite; — so called because it contains magnesia, the soluble salts of which ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
bitter-bark
n. an Australian tree, Petalostigma quadrilo culare, F. v. M., N.O. Euphorbiacea. Called also Crab-...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
bitter-leaf
n. a Tasmanian name for the Native Hop. See hops and hop-bush. ...

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
bitter cold
Very cold. This common colloquial expression is used alike in England and America. Those who say it...

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
bitter-bump
A north-country name for the bittern. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
bitter-end
That part of the cable which is abaft the bitts, and therefore within board when the ship rides at a...

The Sailor's Word-Book
Bitter Herbs
The Israelites were commanded to eat the Paschal lamb "with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs."...

William Smith's Bible Dictionary