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A narrow strip or shred; as, a steel or magnesium ribbon; sails torn to ribbons.

nst; as, to ride down an enemy. (b) (Naut.) To bear down, as on a halyard when hoisting a sail. -- To ride out (Naut.), to keep safe afloat during (a storm) while riding at anchor or when hove to on the open sea; as, to ride out the gale. to ride the lightning, (Colloq.) to be executed by electrocution in an electric…

The peculiar fitting in shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts, by which different types of vessels are distinguished; as, schooner rig, ship rig, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.

., that support the masts and spars of a vessel, and serve as purchases for adjusting the sails, etc. See Illustr. of Ship and Sails. Running rigging (Naut.), all those ropes used in bracing the yards, making and shortening sail, etc., such as braces, sheets, halyards, clew lines, and the like. -- Standing rigging (Na…

the axis of which is perpendicular to the base. -- Right line. See under Line. -- Right sailing (Naut.), sailing on one of the four cardinal points, so as to alter a ship's latitude or its longitude, but not both. Ham. Nav. Encyc. -- Right sphere (Astron. & Geol.), a sphere in such a position that the equator cuts t…

A light sail set abaft and beyong the leech of a boom-and-gaff sail; -- called also ringsail. Ringtail boom (Naut.), a spar which is rigged on a boom for setting a ringtail.

o come forth; to appear; as, an eruption rises on the skin; the land rises to view to one sailing toward the shore.

A convex curve or arch cut in the edge of a sail to prevent chafing, or to secure a better fit. As sound as a roach Etym: [roach perhaps being a corruption of a F. roche a rock], perfectly sound.

Two roaring boys of Rome, that made all split." Beau & Fl. -- Roaring forties (Naut.), a sailor's name for the stormy tract of ocean between 40º and 50º north latitude.

A small piece of spun yarn or marline, used to fasten the head of the sail to the spar. [Written also roband, and robbin.]

A short, close jacket worn by boys, sailors, etc.

er; to ramble; to rauge; to go, move, or pass without certain direction in any manner, by sailing, walking, riding, flying, or otherwise. For who has power to walk has power to rove. Arbuthnot.

e Great deserveth honor more justly for scouring the seas, and taking from the rovers 846 sail of ships. Holland.

A boat designed to be propelled by oars instead of sails.

pgallant mast and usually the highest on a square-rigged vessel. The royal yard and royal sail are attached to the royal mast. -- Royal metal, an old name for gold. -- Royal palm (Bot.), a magnificent West Indian palm tree (Oreodoxa regia), lately discovered also in Florida. -- Royal pheasant. See Curassow. -- Roya…

etc. (b) To decline in condition; as, to run down in health. -- To run down a coast, to sail along it. -- To run for an office, to stand as a candidate for an office. -- To run in or into. (a) To enter; to step in. (b) To come in collision with. -- To run in trust, to run in debt; to get credit. [Obs.] -- To run i…

A kind of ketch very common in the Levant, which has neither topgallant sail nor mizzen topsail.

r and Pollux, or a double Corposant. It takes its name from St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors. -- Saint George's cross (Her.), a Greek cross gules upon a field argent, the field being represented by a narrow fimbriation in the ensign, or union jack, of Great Britain. -- Saint George's ensign, a red cross on a whi…

A sailor; -- usually qualified by old. [Colloq.] Around the door are generally to be seen, laughing and gossiping, clusters of old salts. Hawthorne.

nting arms, by a discharge of cannon, volleys of small arms, dipping the colors or the topsails, etc.