heeks of a gaff.

PARSEES. The great native merchants of Bombay, &c., and a very useful
class as merchants and shopkeepers all along the Malabar coast. They are
the remains of the ancient Persians, and are Guebres, or
fire-worshippers.

PART, TO. To break a rope. To part from an anchor is in consequence of
the cable parting.

PARTAN. A name on our northern coasts for the common sea-crab.

PARTING. The state of being driven from the anchors by breaking the
cables. The rupture or stranding of any tackle-fall or hawser.

PARTIZAN, OR PERTUISAN. A halbert formerly much used. Thus in Shakspeare
(_Antony and Cleopatra_), "I had as lief have a reed that will do me no
service, as a partizan I could not heave." Also, a useful stirring man,
fit for all sorts of desultory duties.

PARTIZAN WARFARE. Insurrectionary, factional, and irregular hostilities.

PARTNERS. A framework of thick plank, fitted round the several scuttles
or holes in a ship's decks, through which the masts, capstans, &c.,
pass; but particularly to support it when the mast leans against it.

PARTNERSHIP with a neutral cannot legalize commerce with a belligerent.

PART OWNERS. Unlike any other partnership, they may be imposed upon each
other without mutual consent, whence arises a frequent appeal to both
civil and common law. (_See_ SHIP-OWNER.)

PARTRIDGES. Grenades thrown from a mortar.

PARTY. The detachment of marines serving on board a man-of-war. Also, a
gang of hands sent away on particular duties.

PASHA. Viceroy. A Turkish title of honour and command.

PASS. A geographical term abbreviated from passage, and applied to any
defile for crossing a mountain chain. Also, any difficult strait which
commands the entrance into a country. Also, a certificate of leave of
absence for a short period only. Also, a thrust with a sword.

PASS, OR PASSPORT. A permission granted by any state to a vessel, to
navigate in some particular sea without molestation; it contains all
particulars concerning her, and is binding on all persons at peace with
that state. It is also a letter of licence given by authority, granting
permission to enter, travel in, and quit certain territories.

PASS, TO. To give from one to another, and also to take certain turns of
a rope round a yard, &c., as "Pass the line along;" "pass the gasket;"
"pass a seizing;" "pass the word there," &c.

PASSAGE. A voyage is generally supposed to comprise the outward and
homeward passages. Also,