e coral-producing animals abound chiefly
in tropical seas, sometimes forming, by the aggregated growth of
countless generations, reefs, barriers, and islands of vast extent. The
"red coral" (_Corallium rubrum_) of the Mediterranean is highly prized
for ornamental purposes.

CORALAN. A small open boat for the Mediterranean coral fishery.

CORAL-BAND. _See_ SAND AND CORAL BANK or ISLET.

CORBEILLE [Fr. basket]. Miner's basket; small gabion used temporarily
for shelter to riflemen, and placed on the parapet, either to fire
through, or for protection from a force placed on a higher level.

CORBILLARD [Fr.] A large boat of transport.

CORD. Small rope; that of an inch or less in circumference.

CORD OR CHURD OF WOOD; as firewood. A statute stack is 8 feet long, 4
feet broad, and 4 feet high.

CORDAGE. A general term for the running-rigging of a ship, as also for
rope of any size which is kept in reserve, and for all stuff to make
ropes.--_Cable-laid cordage._ Ropes, the three strands of which are
composed of three other strands, as are cables and cablets. (_See_
ROPE.)

CORDILLA. The coarse German hemp, otherwise called _torse_.

CORDLIE. A name for the tunny fish.

CORDON. In fortification, the horizontal moulding of masonry along the
top of the true escarp. Also, sometimes used for lines of
circumvallation or blockade, or any connected chain of troops or even
sentries. Also, the riband of an order of knighthood or honour, and
hence used by the French as signifying a member thereof, as Cordon
bleu, Knight of the order of the Holy Ghost, &c.

CORDOVAN. Leather made from seal-skin; the term is derived from the
superior leather prepared at Cordova in Spain.

CORDUROY. Applied to roads formed in new settlements, of trees laid
roughly on sleepers transverse to the direction of the road; as suddenly
for artillery.

CORKIR, OR CUDBEAR. The _Lecanora tartarea_, a lichen producing a purple
dye, growing on the stones of the Western Isles, and in Norway.

CORMORANT. A well-known sea-bird (_Phalacrocorax carbo_) of the family
_Pelecanidae_.

CORN, TO. A remainder of the Anglo-Saxon _ge-cyrned_, salted. To
preserve meat for a time by salting it slightly.

CORNED. Slightly intoxicated. In Chaucer's _Canterbury Tales_, mention
is made of "corny ale."

CORNED POWDER. Powder granulated from the mill-cakes and sifted.

CORNET. A commissioned officer who carries the colours belonging to a
cavalry troop, equivalent to an