roe of a fish.

RONNAL. A northern term for a female fish, as kipper is for the male.

ROOBLE. A Russian coin. (_See_ RUBLE.)

ROOD-GOOSE. A name for the brent-goose.

ROOF-TREE. _See_ ROUGH-TREE.

ROOKE, OR ROUKE. A mist, dampness, or fog.

ROOM. A name given to some reserved apartment in a ship, as--_The
bread-room._ In the aftermost part of the hold: properly lined to
receive the bread, and keep it dry.--_The cook-room._ (_See_
GALLEY.)--_The gun-room._ On the after gun-deck of ships of the line, or
steerage of frigates; devoted to the gun-room officers.--_Light-room._
Attached to the magazine.--_Sail-rooms_, devoted to the sails, are on
the orlop deck, and are inclosed for the reception of the spare
sails.--_Slop-room._ Devoted to slop-clothing.--_Spirit-room._ A secure
space in the after-part of a ship's hold, for the stores of wine,
brandy, &c.--_Steward's-room._ The office devoted to the purser's
steward of former times, now paymaster's steward, whence he issues most
of the light provisions to the ship's company.--_Ward-room._ A room over
the gun-room in ships of the line, where the lieutenants and other
principal officers sleep and mess. The term _sea-room_ is applied when a
ship obtains a good offing, is clear of the coast dangers, and is free
to stand on a long course without nearing danger.

ROOM, ROOMER, OR GOING ROOM. The old term for going large, or from, the
wind. (_See_ LASK and LARGE.) It is mentioned by Bourne in 1578.

ROOMING. An old word to signify running to leeward.--_To go room._ To
bear down.

ROOST. A phrase applied to races of strong and furious tides, which set
in between the Orkney and Shetland Islands, as those of Sumburgh and the
Start.

ROPE. Is composed of hemp, hide, wire, or other stuff, spun into yarns
and strands, which twisted together forms the desired cordage. The word
is very old, being the actual representative of the Anglo-Saxon
_rap_.--_To rope a sail._ To sew the bolt-rope round its edges, to
strengthen it and prevent it from rending.

ROPE-BANDS. Small plaited lines rove through the eyelet holes with a
running eye, by which the head of a sail, after the earings are secured,
is brought to the yard or jack-stay.

ROPE-HOUSE. A long building in a dockyard, where ropes are made.

ROPE-LADDER. Such as hangs over the stern, to enable men to go into
boats, &c.

ROPE-MAKER. A first-class petty officer in the navy.

ROPE OF SAND. A term borrowed from a Greek prove