AWAY WITH IT. The order to walk along briskly with a tackle fall, as
catting the anchor, &c.
AWBLAST. The arbalest, or cross-bow.
AWBLASTER. The designation of a cross-bowman.
A-WEATHER. The position of the helm when its tiller is moved to the
windward side of the ship, in the direction from which the wind blows.
The opposite of _a-lee_.
A-WEIGH. The anchor being _a-trip_, or after breaking out of the
ground.
AWK. _See_ AUK.
AWKWARD SQUAD. A division formed of those men who are backward in
gaining dexterity. (_See_ SQUAD.)
AWL. A tool of a carpenter, sail-maker, and cobbler.
AWME. A tierce of 39 gallons. A Dutch liquid measure.
AWNING. A cover or canvas canopy suspended by a crow-foot and spread
over a ship, boat, or other vessel, to protect the decks and crew from
the sun and weather. (_See_ EUPHROE.) Also that part of the poop-deck
which is continued forward beyond the bulk-head of the cabin.
AWNING-ROPES. The ridge and side ropes for securing the awning.
AXE. A large flat edge-tool, for trimming and reducing timber. Also an
Anglo-Saxon word for _ask_, which seamen still adhere to, and it is
difficult to say why a word should be thought improper which has
descended from our earliest poets; it may have become obsolete, but
without absolutely being vulgar or incorrect.
AXIOM. A self-evident truth or proposition, that cannot be made plainer
by demonstration.
AXIS. The imaginary line upon which a planet revolves, the extremities
of which are termed the poles,--therefore a line joining the north and
south poles. The real or imaginary line that passes through the centre
of any cylindrical or spherical body on which it may revolve. Also a
right line proceeding from the vertex of a cone to the middle of its
base. Also, an imaginary right line passing through the middle of a ship
perpendicularly to its base, and equally distant from its sides;--an
imaginary line passing through the centre of a gun's bore, parallel with
its position.--_Axis of a telescope._ (_See_ COLLIMATION, LINE OF.)
AXLE-TREES. The two cross-pieces of a gun-carriage, fixed across and
under the fore and hinder parts of the cheeks. The cylindrical iron
which goes through the wheel of the chain-pump, and bears the weight of
it.
AYE, AYE, SIR. A prompt reply on receiving an order. Also the answer on
comprehending an order. _Aye-aye_, the answer to a sentinel's hail, from
a boat which has a commissioned officer on board below the rank of
captain. The name of the ship in reply from the boat indicates the
presence of a captain. The word "flag," indicates the presence of an
admiral.
AYLET. The sea-swallow.
AYONT. Beyond.
AYR. An open sea-beach, and also a bank of sand. (_See_ AIRE.) The
mediaeval term for _oar_.
AYT. _See_ EYGHT.
AZIMUTH. A word borrowed from the Arabic. The complement of the
amplitude, or an arc between the meridian of a place and any given
vertical line.
AZIMUTHAL ERROR. _See_ MERIDIAN ERROR.
AZIMUTH CIRCLES. _See_ VERTICAL CIRCLES.
AZIMUTH COMPASS. A superior graduated compass for ascertaining the
amount of magnetic variation, by amplitude or azimuth, when the sun is
from 8 deg. to 15 deg. high, either after its rising or before its
setting. (_See_ MAGNETIC AZIMUTH.) It is fitted with vertical sight
vanes for the purpose of observing objects elevated above the horizon.
AZOGUE. [Sp.] Quicksilver.
AZOGUES. Spanish ships fitted expressly for carrying quicksilver.
AZUMBRE. A Spanish wine-measure, eight of which make an arroba.
AZURE. The deep blue colour of the sky, when perfectly cloudless.