o a quay, mole, or
anchor buried on shore.

SHORE REEF. The same as fringing reef.

SHORT, SHORT STAY, SHORT APEEK. "Heave short," means to heave in the
cable till it is nearly up and down, and would hold the vessel securely
until she had set all common sail, and would not drag or upset the
anchor. If, however, the wind be free, and the making sail unimportant,
_short_ would probably be _short apeek_, or up and down, the last move
of weighing awaiting perhaps signal or permission to part.

SHORT ALLOWANCE. When the provisions will not last the period expected,
they may be reduced in part, as two-thirds, half-allowance, &c., and
thus _short-allowance money_ becomes due, which is the nominal value of
the provisions stopped, and paid in compensation.

SHORT BOARDS. Frequent tacking, where there is not room for long boards,
or from some other cause, as weather or tide, it is required to work to
windward on short tacks in a narrow space.

SHORTEN, TO. Said of a ship's sails when requisite to reduce those that
are set. And _shorten in_, when alluding to the anchor, by heaving in
cable.

SHORT-HANDED. A deficient complement of men, or short-handed by many
being on the sick-list.

SHORT-LINKED CHAIN. A cable without studs, and therefore with shorter
links than those of stud-chains; such are slings and chains generally
used in rigging bobstays, anchor-work, &c. Cables only have studs.

SHORT-SEA. A confused cross sea where the waves assume a jerking
rippling action, and set home to the bows or sides; especially tiresome
to boats, hampering the oars, and tumbling in-board. Also, a race.

SHORT-SERVICE. Chafing geer put on a hemp cable for a short range.

SHORT-SHEETS. Belong to shifting sails, such as studding-sails, &c.

SHORT-TACKS. _See_ SHORT BOARDS.

SHORT-TIME OR SAND GLASS. One of 14 seconds, used in heaving the log
when the ship is going fast.

SHOT. All sorts of missiles to be discharged from fire-arms, those for
great guns being mainly of iron; for small-arms, of lead. When used
without prefix, the term generally means the solid shot only, as fired
for a heavy blow, or for penetration. Also, a synonym of _scot_, a
reckoning at an inn, and has immemorially been thus understood. Ben
Jonson's rules are

"As the fund of our pleasure, let each pay his shot."

Also, a lot or quantity. Also, the particular spot where fishermen take
a draught with their nets, and also the draught of fishes made by a net.