oon. Its cause
has not been clearly defined, although it probably arises from the
currents during spring-tides, acting on a peculiar conformation of the
banks and bed of the river; it strikes invariably on the same part of
the banks, majestically rolling over to one side, and passing on
diagonally to the other with impetuous violence. The bore also occurs in
England, near Bristol; and in America, in several rivers, but especially
in the Bay of Fundy, where at the river Petticodiac the tide rises 76
feet. It also occurs in Borneo and several rivers in the East. (_See_
HYGRE.) Also, the interior cavity of a piece of ordnance, generally
cylindrical in shape, except when a part of it is modified into a
chamber.

BOREAS. A classical name for the north wind, still in use; indeed a
brackish proverb for extreme severity of weather says--"Cold and chilly,
like Boreas with an iceberg in each pocket."

BORE DOWN. Sailed down from to windward.

BORHAME. A northern term for the flounder.

BORING. In Arctic seas, the operation of forcing the ship through loose
ice under a heavy press of sail; at least attempting the chance of
advantage of cracks or openings in the pack.

BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. Said of a person who, by birth
or connection, has all the usual obstacles to advancement cleared away
for him. Those who toil unceasingly for preferment, and toil in vain,
are said to have been born with a wooden ladle. Again, the silver-spoon
gentry are said to come on board through the cabin windows; those less
favoured, over the bows, or through the hawse-holes.

BORNE. Placed on the books for victuals and wages; also supernumerary
and "for rank."

BORROW, TO. To approach closely either to land or wind; to hug a shoal
or coast in order to avoid adverse tide.

BORT. The name given to a long fishing-line in the Shetland Isles.

BOSS. A head of water, or reservoir. Also the apex of a shield.

BOTARGA. The roe of the mullet pressed flat and dried; that of commerce,
however, is from the tunny, a large fish of passage which is common in
the Mediterranean. The best kind comes from Tunis; it must be chosen dry
and reddish. The usual way of eating it is with olive-oil and
lemon-juice.

BOTCH, TO. To make bungling work.

BOTE'S-CARLE. An old term for the coxswain of a boat.

BOTHERED. Getting among adverse currents, with shifting winds.

BOTH SHEETS AFT. The situation of a square-rigged ship that sails before
the wind