-
Stationing
·p.pr. & ·vb.n. of <<Station>>.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Ships
Early used in foreign commerce by the Phoenicians (Gen. 49:13). Moses (Deut. 28:68) and Job (9:26) m...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
Company
·vi To be a gay companion.
II. Company ·noun A companion or companions.
III. Company ·vi To have s...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
company
To see company; to enter into a course of prostitution.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
company
The whole crew of any ship, including her officers, men, and boys. In the army, a small body of foot...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
crossing a ship's wake
When a ship sails over the transient track which another has just passed, i.e. passes close astern o...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
filling a ship's bottom
Implies covering the bottom of a ship with broad-headed nails, so as to give her a sheathing of iron...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
black ships
The name by which the English builders designate those constructed of teak in India.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
corporal, ship's
In a ship of war was, under the master-at-arms, employed to teach the sailors the use of small arms;...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
demonstration-ships
Those kept in a certain state of preparation for war, though on a peace establishment.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
drill-ships
A recent establishment of vessels in which the volunteers composing the Royal Naval Reserve are dril...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
lofty ships
Once a general name for square-rigged vessels:
"A mackerel sky and mares' tails
Make lofty ships...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
munition ships
Those which carry the naval stores for a fleet, as distinguished from the victuallers.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
reckoning, ship's
The ship's position resulting from the courses steered, and distances run by log, brought up from th...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
ship's books
The roll of the crew, containing every particular in relation to entry, former ships, &c.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
ship's husband
The agent or broker who manages her accounts with regard to work performed, repairs, &c., under refi...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
ship's lungs
Dr. Hall's name for the bellows with which he forced the foul air out of ships.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
ship's papers
Documents descriptive of a vessel, her owners, cargo, destination, and other particulars necessary f...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
ship's steward
The person who manages the victualling or mess departments. In the navy, paymaster's steward.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
thwart-ships
Across the ship, or from one side to the other. (See athwart.)
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
troop-ships
A class of vessel of excellent account, during war, in the hands of government; far preferable to hi...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
Trust company
·add. ·- Any corporation formed for the purpose of acting as trustee. Such companies usually do more...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Apothecaries' Company
Formed one company with the Grocers at first. Incorporated as a separate Company 1617. Grocers petit...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Bakers' Company
Incorporated 1486 (Cal. L. Bk. L. p. 241).
The ordinances made to regulate the sale of bread from t...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Brewers' Company
The fourteenth of the City Companies. Incorporated 16 H. VI., and confirmed by the name of St. Mary ...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Carpenters' Company
Incorporated 17 Ed. IV. (S. 177). In 1344 (Elmes, 1831, and Dodsley).
...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Clothworkers' Company
Formed by the incorporation of the Shearmen and Fullers into one art or mystery to be called the Clo...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Cutlers' Company
Elections to the Mistery made in 1328 (Cal. L. Bk. E. p. 233).
Company incorporated 4 H. VI., uniti...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Drapers' Company
One of the twelve Great Livery Companies.
Obtained charter 1364, incorporated, 17 H. VI.
Elections...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Dyers' Company
Incorporated 4 H. VI. (S. 239).
Privilege accorded to them of having on the Thames a game of Swans ...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Fishmongers' Company
The Fishmongers formed originally two separate Companies, viz. Stockefishmongers and Saltfishmongers...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Goldsmiths' Company
The fifth in order of the twelve Great City Companies.
Existed as a Guild, apparently of foreign or...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Grocers' Company
The Grocers of old time were called Pepperers and were first incorporated by the name of Grocers in ...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Haberdashers' Company
Or Hurrers, as they were called. Incorporated a brotherhood 26 H. VI., including the Cappers and Hat...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Horners' Company
Formed by the buyers of horns and manufacturers of horn wares, for the protection of the native indu...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Ironmongers' Company
The tenth of the Twelve Great Companies. Incorporated 3 Ed. IV. 1463-4.
Mentioned as a guild 1330, ...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Leathersellers' Company
Incorporated 21 Rich. II (S. 173).
They purchased the Hall and other buildings belonging to the dis...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Lusting Company
A company of merchants, whose house stood in Austin Friars (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 132).
...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Mercers' Company
The first of the 12 Great Livery Companies.
Incorporated 1393 (S. 272).
They had their shops and s...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Needlemakers' Company
Incorporated 1656. No Hall.
...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Painters' Company
Elections to Mistery of Painters made 1328 (Cal. L. Bk. E. p.234). Incorporated 1580.
...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Pattenmakers' Company
Incorporated 1670 (Dodsley, 1761).
...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Russia Company
A body of merchants incorporated 1555 to trade with the Russian Empire and northern ports (Dodsley, ...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Salters' Company
The ninth in order of the twelve Great Companies.
Grant of Livery temp. Rich. 11.1394. Incorporated...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Skinners' Company
The sixth of the twelve great Livery Companies. Mentioned as a trade guild 1319. Incorporated 1327, ...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Stationers' Company
The ordinances of the mistery of Scriveners and lymenours were submitted to the Mayor and Aldermen i...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Vintners' Company
Incorporated 15 Hen. VI. 1436-7. Eleventh on the list of the Twelve Great Companies.
Included the V...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
Weavers' Company
The forty-second in order of the Livery Companies and said to be the oldest possessing the exclusive...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
to keep company
To court. A common term in the interior parts of New England, applied to a man whose visits to a lad...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
john company
The former board of directors for East India affairs.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
A
A, a, indecl. n. (sometimes joined with littera), the first letter of the Latin alphabet, correspond...
A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
-
a
a, prep.=ab, v. ab.
...
A New Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis Ph.D. and Charles Short, LL. D.
-
A
A. a. as an abbreviation, 1 for the praenomen Aulus.
2 for Absolvo, on the voting-tablet of a jud...
An Elementary Latin Dictionary
-
A
·- Of.
II. A ·prep In; on; at; by.
III. A ·- An expletive, void of sense, to fill up the meter.
I...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A 1
·- A registry mark given by underwriters (as at Lloyd's) to ships in first-class condition. Inferior...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-
·- A, as a prefix to English words, is derived from various sources. (1) It frequently signifies on ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A
Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the last. These letters occur in the text...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
a
As for example the word alarm, alarum, a bell, from the German lärm; but the military alarm on a dru...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
William Smith's Bible Dictionary
-
deaden a ship's way, to
To retard a vessel's progress by bracing in the yards, so as to reduce the effect of the sails, or b...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
spoliation of a ship's papers
An act which, by the maritime law of every court in Europe, not only excludes further proof, but doe...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
veer a buoy in a ship's wake, to
To slack out a rope to which a buoy has been attached, and let it go astern, for the purpose of brin...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
run athwart a ship's course, to
To cross her path.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
classification of ships
A register made of vessels according to the report rendered in by special surveyors. (See navy and L...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
east-country ships
The same as easterlings.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
iron-plated ships
See armour-clad.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
Royal African Company
See Africa House.
...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
A cappella
·- A time indication, equivalent to alla breve.
II. A cappella ·- In church or chapel style;
— sai...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A cheval
·add. ·- Astride; with a part on each side;
— used specif. in designating the position of an army w...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A fortiori
·- With stronger reason.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A posteriori
·- Applied to knowledge which is based upon or derived from facts through induction or experiment; i...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A priori
·- Applied to knowledge and conceptions assumed, or presupposed, as prior to experience, in order to...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-mornings
·adv In the morning; every morning.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-sea
·adv On the sea; at sea; toward the sea.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
A-tiptoe
·adv On tiptoe; eagerly expecting.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Due-a
·noun ·see Do-a.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Pi-a
·add. ·noun The <<Pineapple>>.
II. Pi-a ·add. ·noun Pi-a cloth or the fiber of which it is made.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Vicu-a
·noun ·Alt. of <<Vicugna>>.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
a-many
a great number, pronounced Meyny. North.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
a-scat
broken like an egg. Dev.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
a-slat
crack'd like an earthen vessel. Dev.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
a-burton
The situation of casks when they are stowed in the hold athwart ship, or in a line with the beam.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-cockbill
(see cock-bill). The anchor hangs by its ring at the cat-head, in a position for dropping.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-hull
A ship under bare poles and her helm a-lee, driving from wind and sea, stern foremost. Also a ship d...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-lee
The contrary of a-weather: the position of the helm when its tiller is borne over to the lee-side of...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-poise
Said of a vessel properly trimmed.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-starboard
The opposite to a-port.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-stay
Said of the anchor when, in heaving in, the cable forms such an angle with the surface as to appear ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-trip
The anchor is a-trip, or a-weigh, when the purchase has just made it break ground, or raised it clea...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-wash
Reefs even with the surface. The anchor just rising to the water's edge, in heaving up.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-weather
The position of the helm when its tiller is moved to the windward side of the ship, in the direction...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
a-weigh
The anchor being a-trip, or after breaking out of the ground.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
line-of-battle ships
Formerly those of 74 guns and upwards; or in these iron days, any vessel capable of giving and takin...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
ship's registry and certificate
An official record of a ship's size, the bills of lading, ownership, &c.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
verification of ship's papers
In this necessary process it is declared that papers of themselves prove nothing, and require to be ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
Armourers and Braziers' Company
Incorporated as the Armourers' Co. about 1453. The Braziers joined the Company afterwards, in 1708 (...
A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.
-
cock of the company
A weak man, who from the desire of being the head of the company associates with low people, and pay...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
mine a-se on a bandbox
An answer to the offer of any thing inadequate to the purpose for which it is wanted, just as a band...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
A B C
·- The simplest rudiments of any subject; as, the A B C of finance.
II. A B C ·- A primer for teach...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
All-a-mort
·adj ·see <<Alamort>>.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Black-a-vised
·adj Dark-visaged; swart.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Bric-a brac
·noun Miscellaneous curiosities and works of decorative art, considered collectively.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Char-a-bancs
·noun A long, light, open vehicle, with benches or seats running lengthwise.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Chars-a-banc
·pl of Char-a-bancs.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Cock-a-hoop
·adj Boastful; defiant; exulting. Also used adverbially.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Cornet-a-piston
·noun A brass wind instrument, like the trumpet, furnished with valves moved by small pistons or sli...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Cornets-a-piston
·pl of Cornet-a-piston.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Dos-a-dos
·add. ·noun A sofa, open carriage, or the like, so constructed that the occupants sit back to back.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Flute a bec
·- A beak flute, an older form of the flute, played with a mouthpiece resembling a beak, and held li...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Jack-a-dandy
·noun A little dandy; a little, foppish, impertinent fellow.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Jack-a-lent
·noun A small stuffed puppet to be pelted in Lent; hence, a simple fellow.
...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Penny-a-liner
·noun One who furnishes matter to public journals at so much a line; a poor writer for hire; a hack ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Pi-a cloth
·add. ·- A fine fabric for scarfs, handkerchiefs, embroidery, ·etc., woven from the fiber obtained f...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Tete-a-tete
·adj Private; confidential; familiar.
II. Tete-a-tete ·noun A short sofa intended to accomodate two...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Vis-a-vis
·adv Face to face.
II. Vis-a-vis ·noun One who, or that which, is face to face with another; ·esp.,...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Wait-a-bit
·add. ·noun The prickly ash.
II. Wait-a-bit ·add. ·noun The grapple plant.
III. Wait-a-bit ·add. ·...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Wait-a-while
·add. ·noun = Wait-a-bit.
II. Wait-a-while ·add. ·noun One of the Australian wattle trees (Acacia c...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
-
Adam, a type
The apostle Paul speaks of Adam as "the figure of him who was to come." On this account our Lord is ...
Easton's Bible Dictionary
-
all-a-mort
Struck dumb, confounded. What, sweet one, all-a-mort? SHAKESPEARE.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
black a-se
A copper or kettle. The pot calls the kettle black a-se. Cant.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to run a buck
To poll a bad vote at an election.--IRISH TERM.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
chick-a-biddy
A chicken, so called to and by little children.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
cock-a-whoop
Elevated, in high-spirits, transported with joy.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to couch a hogshead
To lie down to sleep. CANT.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to fight a crib
To make a sham fight. BEAR GARDEN TERM.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
cure a-se
A dyachilon plaister, applied to the parts galled by riding.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
dram-a-tick
A dram served upon credit.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
drop a cog
To let fall, with design, a piece of gold or silver, in order to draw in and cheat the person who se...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
firing a gun
Introducing a story by head and shoulders. A man wanting to tell a particular story, said to the com...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to fire a slug
To drink a dram.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
foxing a boot
Mending the foot by capping it.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
mumble a sparrow
A cruel sport practised at wakes and fairs, in the following manner: A cock sparrow whose wings are ...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
pit-a-pat
The palpitation of the heart: as, my heart went pit-a-pat. Pintledy-pantledy; the same.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
to ring a peal
To scold; chiefly applied to women. His wife rung him a fine peal!
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
slug-a-bed
A drone, one that cannot rise in the morning.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
squint-a-pipes
A squinting man or woman; said to be born in the middle of the week, and looking both ways for Sunda...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
wear a--e
A one-horse chaise.
...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
-
bull-a-bull
or Bullybul
n.
a child'scorruption of the Maori word Poroporo (q.v.), aflowering shrub of New Zeal...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
cock-a-bully
n. a popular name for the NewZealand fish Galaxias fasciatus, Gray, a corruption ofits Maori name Ko...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
make a light
expressive pigeon-English. An aboriginal'sphrase for to look for, to find. «You been make a lightyar...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
mark, a good
Australian slang.
1845. R. Howitt, `Australia,' p. 233:
«I wondered often what was the meaning of ...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
perish, doing a
modern slang from Western Australia.See quotation.
1894. `The Argus,' March 28, p. 5, col. 4:
«Whe...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
stay-a-while
n.
a tangled bush; sometimescalled Wait-a-while (q.v.).
...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
wait-a-while
n.
also called Stay-a-while: a thicket tree.
1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 306:
...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
-
to bear a hand
A seaman's phrase. To be ready ; to go to work; to assist.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to catch a tartar
To attack one of superior strength or abilities. This saying originated from the story of an Irish s...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a caper
(Italian, tagliar le capriole.) The act of dancing in a frolicksome manner.--Todd. We use it also in...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a dash
In modern colloquial speech, to make a great show; to make a figure.--Johnson. A fashionable or gail...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a figure
To make an appearance, either good or bad.
We are not as much surprised at the poor figure cut by t...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to cut a swathe
The same as to cut a dash.
The expression is generally applied to a person walking who is gaily dre...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to deacon a calf
is to knock it in the head as soon as it is born.--Connecticut.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to drive a bargain
To make a bargain. A common colloquial expression, as old as the language.
This bargain is ful dr...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to girdle a tree
In America, to make a circular incision, like a belt, through the bark and alburnum of a tree to kil...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to have a say
To express an opinion. A phrase in vulgar use.
I picked out "Henry Clay" for my baby's name, but t...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to make a raise
A vulgar expression, meaning to raise; procure; obtain.
I made a raise of a horse and saw, after be...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to raise a bead
This expression is used at the West, and means to bring to a head, to make succeed. The figure is ta...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to sky a copper
To toss up a cent.
Didge said he was like skying a copper--head or tail.--Crockett, Tour.
...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
to trig a wheel
To stop a wheel so as to prevent its going backwards or forwards.--Bailey. Still used in New England...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
up-a-day
A fondling expression of a nurse to a child, when she takes it up in her arms, or lifts it over some...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
-
a god-cheeld!
Exclamation. God shield you! God forbid!
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
brain a man
i. e. knock his brains out. N.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
feel a stink
to perceive it. Derb.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
flick-a-bacon
a flitch of bacon. N.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
jacket-a-wad
an ignis fatuus. Exm.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
scotch a wheel
to stop it from going backward. Lane.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
well-a-day!
alas! Various.
...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
-
beaching a vessel
See under voluntary stranding. Also, the act of running a vessel up on the beach for various purpose...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
bear a fist
See bear a bob
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
bear a bob
, or bear a fist
Jocular for "lend a hand."
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
bedding a cask
Placing dunnage round it.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
catch a crab
In rowing, when an oar gets so far beneath the surface of the water, that the rower cannot recover i...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
chapelling a ship
The act of turning her round in a light breeze, when she is close hauled, without bracing the head-y...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
chock-a-block
, or chock and block
Is the same with block-a-block and two-blocks (which see). When the lower blo...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
cutting a feather
It is common when a ship has too broad a bow to say, "She will not cut a feather," meaning that she ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
-
dick-a-dilver
A name for the periwinkle on our eastern coasts.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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disparting a gun
To bring the line of sight and line of metal to be parallel by setting up a mark on the muzzle-ring ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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docking a ship
The act of drawing her into dock, and placing her properly on blocks, in order to give her the requi...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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doubling a cape
In navigation, is to sail round or pass beyond it, so that the point of land separates the ship from...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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driving a charge
Ramming home the loading of a piece of ordnance.
...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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fall! a fall!
The cry to denote that the harpoon has been effectively delivered into the body of a whale.
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The Sailor's Word-Book
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frapping a ship
The act of passing four or five turns of a large cable-laid rope round a ship's hull when it is appr...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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get-a-pull
The order to haul in more of a rope or tackle.
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The Sailor's Word-Book
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give a spell
To intermit or relieve work. (See spell.)
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The Sailor's Word-Book
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pedro-a-pied
[Pedro-pee]. The balance on one leg in walking a plank as a proof of sobriety. A man placed one foot...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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pricking a sail
The running a middle seam between the two seams which unite every cloth of a sail to the next adjoin...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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racking a laniard
The fastening two running parts together with a seizing, so as to prevent it from rendering through ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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racking a tackle or laniard
The fastening two running parts together with a seizing, so as to prevent it from rendering through ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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raising a mouse
The process of making a lump on a stay. (See mouse.)
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The Sailor's Word-Book
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raising a purchase
The act of disposing certain machines, so that, by their mutual effects, they may produce sufficient...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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shifting a tackle
The act of removing the blocks of a tackle to a greater distance from each other, in order to extend...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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show a leg!
An exclamation from the boatswain's mate, or master-at-arms, for people to show that they are awake ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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spanning a harpoon
Fixing the line which connects the harpoon and its staff. The harpoon iron is a socketed tool, taper...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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spiking a gun
Driving a large nail or iron spike into the vent, which will render the cannon unserviceable until r...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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swifting a ship
Either bringing her aground or upon a careen; also passing cables round her bottom and upper-works, ...
The Sailor's Word-Book
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taking a departure
Determining the place of a ship by means of the bearing and distance of a known object, and assuming...
The Sailor's Word-Book