MONITION. Legal notice or warning.
MONITOR. A very shallow, semi-submerged, heavily-armoured steamer,
carrying on her open deck either one or two plated revolving turrets,
each containing either one or two enormous guns: originally designed by
Ericson in the United States during the recent war, to combine the
maximum of gun power with the minimum of exposure; they have been very
formidable in sheltered and intricate waters, but it remains yet to be
shown that they would be effective on the open sea.
MONKEY. A machine composed of a long pig of iron, traversing in a
groove, which is raised by a pulley, and let fall suddenly on the head
of large bolts for driving them. A larger kind is used in
_pile-driving_. Also, a kind of wooden kid for grog. Also, in Queen
Elizabeth's reign, a small trading vessel. Also, passion; as a man's
"monkey is up." Also, a machine with which the _hercules_ facilitates
the welding of anchors.
MONKEY-BLOCK. A small single block strapped with a swivel. Also, those
nailed on the topsail-yards of some merchantmen, to lead the buntlines
through.
MONKEY-BOAT. A half-decked boat above-bridge on the Thames.
MONKEY-JACKET. A warm jacket for night-watches, &c.
MONKEY-PUMP. Straws or quills for sucking the liquid from a cask,
through a gimlet-hole made for the purpose--a practice as old as the
time of Xenophon, who describes this mode of drinking from the prize
jars of Armenia.
MONKEY-SPARS. Reduced masts and yards for a vessel devoted to the
instruction and exercise of boys.
MONKEY-TAIL. A lever for training a carronade.