GABIONADE. A parapet of gabions hastily thrown up.
GABIONS. Cylindrical baskets open at both ends, about 3 feet high and 2
feet in diameter, which, being placed on end and filled with earth,
greatly facilitate the speedy formation of cover against an enemy's
fire. They are much used for revetments in field-works generally.
GABLE, OR GABULLE. A term in early voyagers for _cable_. Thus,
"Softe, ser, seyd the gabulle-rope,
Methinke gode ale is in your tope."
GABLICK, OR GAFFLOCK. An old term for a crow-bar.
GABY. A conceited simpleton.
GACHUPINS. The name given in South America to European Spaniards.
GAD. A goad; the point of a spear or pike.
GAD-YANG. A coasting vessel of Cochin-China.
GAFF. A spar used in ships to extend the heads of fore-and-aft sails
which are not set on stays. The foremost end of the gaff is termed the
jaw, the outer part is called the peak. The jaw forms a semicircle, and
is secured in its position by a jaw-rope passing round the mast; on it
are strung several small wooden balls called _trucks_, to lessen the
friction on the mast when the sail is hoisting or lowering.--_To blow
the gaff_, said of the revealing a plot or giving convicting evidence.
GAFF-HALLIARDS. _See_ HALLIARDS.
GAFF-HOOK. In fishing, a strong iron hook set on a handle, supplementing
the powers of the line and fish-hook with heavy fish, in the same way
that the landing-net does with those of moderate size.
GAFFLE. A lever or stirrup for bending a cross-bow.
GAFF-NET. A peculiar net for fishing.
GAFF-TOPSAIL. A light triangular or quadrilateral sail, the head being
extended on a small gaff which hoists on the top-mast, and the foot on
the lower gaff.
GAGE. The quantity of water a ship draws, or the depth she is immersed.
GAGE, WEATHER. When one ship is to windward of another she is said to
have the weather-gage of her; or if in the opposite position, the
lee-gage.
GAGE-COCKS. These are for ascertaining the height of the water in the
boiler, by means of three or more pipes, having a cock to each.
GAINED DAY. The twenty-four hours, or day and night, gained by
circumnavigating the globe to the eastward. It is the result of sailing
in the same direction as the earth revolves, which shortens each day by
four minutes for every degree sailed. In the Royal Navy this run gives
an additional day's pay to a ship's crew.
GAIN THE WIND, TO. To arrive on the weather-side of some other vessel in
sight, when both are plying to windward.
GAIR-FISH. A name on our northern coasts for the porpoise.