minent cases; therefore,
before the insured can demand recompense from the underwriter, they must
cede or _abandon_ to him the right of all property which may be
recovered from shipwreck, capture, or any other peril stated in the
policy. Other parties entering and bringing the vessel into port obtain
salvage. (_Vide_ DERELICT.)

ABASE, TO. An old word signifying to lower a flag or sail. _Abaisser_ is
in use in the French marine, and both may be derived from the still
older _abeigh_. _Abase_ literally means to cast down, to humble.

ABATE, TO. An old Anglo-Norman word from _abattre_, to beat down or
destroy; as, to _abate_ a castle or fort, is to beat it down; and a gale
is said to _abate_ when it decreases. The term is still used in law.

ABATEMENT. A plea by which a reduction of freight is demanded, when
unforeseen causes have delayed or hindered the performance of a
stipulated charter-party.

ABATIS. An obstruction used in temporary fortification, composed of
felled trees deprived of their smaller branches, and secured to the
ground side by side with their tops towards the enemy; applicable to the
front of posts, works, or positions, and occasionally to the bars of
rivers.

ABBEY-LUBBER. This is an old term of reproach for idleness, and is here
quoted only as bearing upon the nautical lubber. In the "_Burnynge of
Paule's Church_, 1563," it is thus explained--"An Abbey-lubber, that was
idle, well-fed, a long lewd lither loiterer, that might worke, and would
not."

ABBLAST. Cross-bow; hence,

ABBLASTER. Cross-bow man.

ABBROCHYN. The old term for beginning or broaching a barrel, cask, or
any "vesselle of drynke."

ABEAM. In a line at right angles to the vessel's length; opposite the
centre of a ship's side.

ABEAM-ARM. For this curved timber, _see_ FORK-BEAMS.

ABER. An ancient British word for the mouth of a river--as
Aber-brothick, Aber-avon, Aber-ystwith, and Aber-conway, &c. It also
means the confluence of two or more streams.

ABERRATION. An apparent change of place, or alteration of their mean
position, in the fixed stars, caused by the earth's orbital
movement.--_Aberration of a planet_ signifies its progressive geocentric
motion, or the space through which it appears to move, as seen from the
earth, during the time which light occupies in passing from the planet
to us.--_Crown of aberration_ is a spurious circle surrounding the
proper disc of the sun.--_Constant of aberration_, or amount of
disp