viously to bracing round the yards in tacking or wearing.

RAISE THE METAL TO. To elevate the breech, and depress thereby the
muzzle of a gun.

RAISE THE WIND, TO. To make an exertion; to cast about for funds.

RAISING A MOUSE. The process of making a lump on a stay. (_See_ MOUSE.)

RAISING A PURCHASE. The act of disposing certain machines, so that, by
their mutual effects, they may produce sufficient force to overcome the
weight or resistance of the object to which this machinery is applied.

RAKE. The projection of the upper parts of a ship, at both ends, beyond
the extremities of the keel. Also, the deviation of the masts from the
_vertical line of position_, reckoned from the keel forward or aft.

RAKING. Cannonading a ship, so that the shot shall range in the
direction of her whole length between decks, called a raking fire; and
is similar to military enfilading.

RAKISH. Said of a ship when she has the appearance of force and fast
sailing.

RALLYING SQUARE. That formed by skirmishers or dispersed troops when
suddenly menaced by cavalry, each man as he runs in successively placing
himself with his back close against those already formed.

RAM. A long spar, iron-hooped at the ends, used for driving out blocks
from beneath a vessel's keel, and for driving planks an end while only
wedged to the ship's side. Also, a new rating in the navy. (_See_
STEAM-RAM.)

RAMBADE. The elevated platform built across the prow of a galley, for
boarding, &c.

RAMED. The state of a ship on the stocks, when all the frames are set
upon the keel, the stem and stern-post put up, and the whole adjusted by
the ram-line.

RAM-HEAD. An old word for halliard-block.

RAM HOME, TO. To drive home the ammunition in a gun.

RAMMER. A cylindrical block of wood nearly fitting the bore of a cannon,
and fastened on a wooden staff; used in loading to drive home the charge
of a cannon.

RAMP. An oblique or sloping interior road to mount the _terreplein_ of
the rampart.

RAMPART. An artificial embankment surrounding a fortified place, capable
of covering the buildings from view, and of resisting the cannon of an
enemy. Generally having a parapet on its top, and a wall for its front.

RAMPER-EEL. A name of the _lamprey_, _Petromyzon marinus_.

RAM-REEL. Synonymous with _bull-dance_.

RAMROD. In muzzle-loading, is the implement used in charging a piece, to
drive home the powder and shot.

RAMSHACKLE. Out of repair and ungainly; disord