Search the Dictionary

One of the ropes or chains serving as stays for the dolphin striker or the bowsprit; -- called also gobrope and gaubline.

reversa; -- so called by workmen. Gwilt. Heel chain (Naut.), a chain passing from the bowsprit cap around the heel of the jib boom. -- Heel plate, the butt plate of a gun. -- Heel of a rafter. (Arch.) See Heel, n., 7. -- Heel ring, a ring for fastening a scythe blade to the snath. -- Neck and heels, the whole body…

A fairy; a sprite; an elf. [Obs.] From elves, hobs, and fairies, . . . Defend us, good Heaven ! Beau. & FL.

That portion of a mast or bowsprit which is beneath the deck or within the vessel.

ag, containing only the union, without the fly, usually hoisted on a jack staff at the bowsprit cap; -- called also union jack. The American jack is a small blue flag, with a star for each State.

lar sail set upon a stay or halyard extending from the foremast or fore-topmast to the bowsprit or the jib boom. Large vessels often carry several jibe; as, inner jib; outer jib; flying jib; etc.

A small vessel having two or three masts, and a running bowsprit, and carrying lugsails. See Illustration in Appendix. Totten.

To go wrong; to err. [Obs.] Amongst the angels, a whole legion Of wicked sprites did fall from happy bliss; What wonder then if one, of women all, did miss Spenser.

That which has only an apparent existence; an apparition; a specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal image. Strange phantoms rising as the mists arise. Pope. She was a phantom of delight. Wordsworth. Phantom ship. See Flying Dutchman, under Flying. -- Phantom tumor (Med.), a swelling, especially of the…

A block under the inner end of a bowsprit.

out six hundred square feet of sail, distinguished from a knockabout by having a short bowsprit.

The process of taking in a reef. Reefing bowsprit, a bowsprit so rigged that it can easily be run in or shortened by sliding inboard, as in cutters.

To call or bring back; to recall. [Obs.] The faint sprite he did revoke again, To her frail mansion of morality. Spenser.

Running board, a narrow platform extending along the side of a locomotive. -- Running bowsprit (Naut.) Same as Reefing bowsprit. -- Running days (Com.), the consecutive days occupied on a voyage under working days. Simmonds. -- Running fire, a constant fire of musketry or cannon. -- Running gear, the wheels and axl…

The evil and malicious disposition of Satan; a diabolical sprit. [R.]

Specifically, a vessel furnished with a bowsprit and three masts (a mainmast, a foremast, and a mizzenmast), each of which is composed of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast, and square-rigged on all masts. See Illustation in Appendix. l Port or Larboard Side; s Starboard Side; 1 Roundhouse or Deck House; 2…

t the periphery of a water wheel, which form the sides of the buckets; a shroud plate. Bowsprit shrouds (Naut.), ropes extending from the head of the bowsprit to the sides of the vessel. -- Futtock shrouds (Naut.), iron rods connecting the topmast rigging with the lower rigging, passing over the edge of the top. -- S…

oom-and-gaff mainsail, jibs, staysail, and gaff topsail. The typical sloop has a fixed bowsprit, topmast, and standing rigging, while those of a cutter are capable of being readily shifted. The sloop usually carries a centerboard, and depends for stability upon breadth of beam rather than depth of keel. The two types h…

allant and royal yards in vessels of war; also, the short line supporting the heel of the sprit in a small boat.

ny supernatural being, good or bad; an apparition; a specter; a ghost; also, sometimes, a sprite,; a fairy; an elf. Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all impressions of spirits and goblins in the dark. Locke.