AMS. Curved pieces of timber, serving as half-beams, to
support the decks, where a whole one cannot be placed, on account of the
hatchways.

SPURS OF THE BITTS. The same as _standards_ (which see).

SQUAD. A diminutive of _squadron_. Also, a small party of soldiers
assembled for drill or inspection.

SQUADRON. A division of a fleet, as van, centre, and rear squadrons. A
flying squadron may be commanded by a rear-admiral, and consist of any
class of vessels. Also, a body of cavalry consisting of two troops, or
from 80 to 150 men. Squadron is the ordinary unit in reckoning the
cavalry force of an army.

SQUALL. A sudden gust of wind, frequently occasioned by the interruption
and reverberation of the wind from high mountains. These are very
frequent in the Mediterranean, particularly in the Levant.--_A black
squall._ One attended with a dark cloud and generally heavy rain.--_A
white squall._ This furious and dangerous gust occurs in clear weather,
without any other warning than the white foam it occasions on the
surface of the sea, and a very thin haze. When this squall reaches a
ship, copious rain attends it. It is very destructive to the flying-kite
school, and many lives have been sacrificed by it.

SQUARE. An instrument formed by a stock and a tongue fixed at right
angles. Also, in the army, a formation of infantry devised to resist
cavalry. (_See_ HOLLOW SQUARE and RALLYING SQUARE.) Also, a term
peculiarly appropriated to the yards and their sails. Thus, when the
yards hang at right angles with the mast they are said to be "square by
the lifts;" when perpendicular to the ship's length, they are "square by
the braces;" but when they lie in a direction perpendicular to the plane
of the keel, they are "square by the lifts and braces." The yards are
said to be very square when they are of extraordinary length, and the
same epithet is applied to their sails with respect to their breadth.
Also, a figure composed of four equal sides and four right angles, is
the square of geometry.

SQUARE-BUTTED. The yard-arms of small shipping so made that a
sheave-hole can be cut through without weakening the yard.

SQUARE-FRAMES. In marine architecture, implies those frames which are
square with the line of the keel, having no bevelling upon them.

SQUARE IN THE HEAD. Very bluff and broad in the fore-body.

SQUARE-KNOT. The same as _reef-knot_.

SQUARE MAIN-SAIL. _See_ MAIN-SAIL.

SQUARE OR SQUARING MARKS. Marks placed upon