d both ways from the north and the south, ending
at the east and west in 90 deg. The fixed compass represents the horizon,
in which the north and all the other points are liable to variation.

REDAN. The simplest form of regular fortification, consisting of two
faces meeting in a salient angle; generally applied in connection with
other works.

REDD. The spawn of fish. Also, the burrow scooped out by salmon in which
to deposit their ova.

REDD-FISH. A northern general term for fishes in the spawning state, but
particularly applied to salmon.

REDEMPTIONER. One who purchases his release from obligation to the
master of a ship, by his services; or one whose services are sold to pay
the expenses of his passage to America or elsewhere.

REDHIBITION. An action to annul or set aside a contract of sale.

RED-HOT BALLS. Shot made red-hot in a furnace, and in that state
discharged at the enemy. The loading is managed with wet wads.

REDOUBT. An inclosed work, differing from a fort, in that its parts do
not flank one another.

RED PINE. _Pinus rubra_, the red spruce; the timber of which is
preferred throughout the United States for yards, and imported for that
purpose into Liverpool from Nova Scotia.

REDUCE, TO. To degrade to a lower rank; or to shorten the allowance of
water or provisions.

REDUCE A CHARGE, TO. To diminish the contents of a cartridge, sometimes
requisite during heavy firing.

REDUCE A PLACE, TO. To compel its commander to surrender, or vacate it
by capitulation.

REDUCTION OF CELESTIAL OBSERVATIONS. The process of calculation, by
which observations are rendered subservient to utility.

REEF. A certain portion of a sail comprehended between the head of a
sail and any of the reef-bands. The intention of each reef is to reduce
the sail in proportion to the increase of the wind; there are also reefs
parallel to the foot or bottom of large sails, extended upon
booms.--_Close-reefed_ is when all the reefs of the top-sails are taken
in.--_Reef_ is also a group or continuous chain of rocks, sufficiently
near the surface of the water to occasion its breaking over them. (_See_
FRINGING REEFS and BARRIER REEFS.)

REEF-BAND. A narrow band of canvas sewed on the reef-line to support the
strain of the reef-points. It is pierced with eyelet-holes, through
which the points are passed each way with a running eye.

REEF-CRINGLES. _See_ CRINGLE.

REEF-EARINGS. _See_ EARINGS.

REEFED TOP-MAST. When a top-mast