FAUN. Anglo-Norman for a flood-gate or water-gate.
FAUSSEBRAYE. In fortification, a kind of counterguard or low rampart,
intended to protect the lower part of the main escarp behind it from
being breached, but considered in modern times to do more harm than good
to the defence.
FAVOUR, TO. To be careful of; also to be fair for.--"_Favour her_" is
purely a seaman's term; as when it blows in squalls, and the vessel is
going rap-full, with a stiff weather-helm and bow-seas, "favour her boy"
is "ease the helm, let the sails lift, and head the sea." So, in hauling
in a rope, _favour_ means to trust to the men's force and elasticity,
and not part the rope by taking a turn on a cleat, making a dead nip. A
thorough seaman "favours" his spars and rigging, and sails his ship
economically as well as expeditiously.
FAY, TO. To fit any two pieces of wood, so as to join close and fair
together; the plank is said to fay to the timbers, when it lies so close
to them that there shall be no perceptible space between them.
FAY FENA. A kind of Japanese galley, of 30 oars.
FEALTY. Loyalty and due devotion to the queen's service.
FEARN. A small windlass for a lighter.
FEAR-NOUGHT. Stout felt woollen cloth, used for port-linings, hatchway
fire-screens, &c. The same as _dread-nought_.
FEATHER. (_See_ SWINE'S or SWEDISH FEATHER.) It is used variously. (_See
also_ FULL FEATHER and WHITE FEATHER.)
FEATHER, TO CUT A. When a ship has so sharp a bow that she makes the
spray feather in cleaving it.
FEATHER AN OAR, TO. In rowing, is to turn the blade horizontally, with
the top aft, as it comes out of the water. This lessens the resistance
of the air upon it.
FEATHER-EDGED. A term used by shipwrights for such planks as are thicker
on one edge than the other.