"And while the lee clue-garnet's lower'd away,
Taut aft the sheet they tally, and belay."
TALUS. The old word in fortification for slope.
TAMBOUR. A projecting kind of stockade, attached to ill-flanked walls,
&c.
TAN AND TANNED SAILS. Those steeped in oak-bark.
TANG, OR TANGLE. _Fucus digitatus_, and other sea-weed, which are used
as manure.
TANGENT. A right line raised perpendicularly on the extremity of a
radius, touching the circle without cutting it.
TANGENT-SCALE. Fitted to the breech of a gun for admeasuring its
elevation; it is a sliding pillar marked with degrees and their
subdivisions (according to the distance between the sights on the gun),
and bears a notch or other sight on its head. With rifled guns a
vernier, reading the minutes, is generally added.
TANGENT-SCREW. A screw acting tangentially to a circle, by means of
which a slow motion may be given to the vernier of any instrument.
TANG-FISH. A northern name for the seal.
TANK. A piece of deep water, natural as well as artificial. Also, an
iron cistern for containing fresh water--a great improvement on wooden
casks for keeping water sweet.
TANKA. A covered Chinese shore-boat for conveying passengers to ships;
worked by women only.
TANTARA. An old word for the noise of a drum.
TAPERED. A term applied to ropes which decrease in size towards one end,
as tacks and sheets. Also termed _rat-tailed_.
TAPERED CLEAT. A piece of wood bolted under the beams, to support them
when pillars are not used.
TAPPING A BUOY. Clearing it of the water which has entered it by
leakage, and would otherwise prevent its watching.
TAP THE ADMIRAL. Opprobriously applied to those who would "drink
anything;" from the tale of the drunkard who stole spirits from the cask
in which a dead admiral was being conveyed to England.
TAR [Anglo-Saxon _tare_]. A kind of turpentine which is drained from
pines and fir-trees, and is used to preserve standing rigging, canvas,
&c., from the effects of weather, by rendering them water-proof. Also, a
perfect sailor; one who knows his duty thoroughly. (_See_ JACK
TAR.)--_Coal_ or _gas tar_. A fluid extracted from coal during the
operation of making gas, &c.; chiefly used on wood and iron, in the
place of paint.
TARBET, OR TARBERT. Applied to low necks of land in Scotland that divide
the lakes from the sea. It literally means boat-carrying, and is
analogous to the Canadian "portage."
TAR-BRUSH, TOUCH OF THE. A nautical term applied to those who are
slightly darkened by mixed blood.
TARGET [Anglo-Saxon _targe_]. A leathern shield. A mark to aim at.
TARGIA. An archaic term for a vessel, since called a _tartan_.
TARI. A coin of Italy, value 8_d._ sterling.
TARIFF. List of duties payable upon exported and imported goods.
TARITA. An ancient term for a ship of burden.
TARN. A small mountain lake [probably from the Icelandic _tiaurn_].
TARPAULIN. Canvas well covered with tar or paint to render it
water-proof. Also, the foul-weather hats and jackets of seamen; often
applied to the men themselves. Properly _paulin_ when paint is used.