me as _dread-nought_.

FEATHER. (_See_ SWINE'S or SWEDISH FEATHER.) It is used variously. (_See
also_ FULL FEATHER and WHITE FEATHER.)

FEATHER, TO CUT A. When a ship has so sharp a bow that she makes the
spray feather in cleaving it.

FEATHER AN OAR, TO. In rowing, is to turn the blade horizontally, with
the top aft, as it comes out of the water. This lessens the resistance
of the air upon it.

FEATHER-EDGED. A term used by shipwrights for such planks as are thicker
on one edge than the other.

FEATHERING-PADDLES. (Morgan's patent.)

FEATHER-SPRAY. Such as is observed at the cut-water of fast steamers,
forming a pair of wing feathers.

FEATHER-STAR. The _Comatula rosacea_, one of the most beautiful of
British star-fishes.

FEAZE, TO. To untwist, to unlay ropes; to teaze, to convert it into
oakum.

FEAZINGS. The fagging out or unravelling of an unwhipped rope.

FECKET. A Guernsey frock.

FECKLESS. Weak and silly.

FEEDER. A small river falling into a large one, or into a dock or float.
_Feeders_, in pilot slang, are the passing spurts of rain which feed a
gale.

FEEDING-GALE. A storm which is on the increase, sometimes getting worse
at each succeeding squall. When a gale freshens after rain, it is said
to have fed the gale.

FEEDING-PART OF A TACKLE. That running through the sheaves, in
opposition to the standing part.

FEED OF GRASS. A supply of any kind of vegetables.

FEED-PUMP. The contrivance by which the boilers of a steamer are
supplied with water from the hot-well, while the engines are at work.

FEED-WATER. In steamers, the water which supplies the boiler.

FEEL THE HELM, TO. To have good steerage way, carrying taut
weather-helm, which gives command of steerage. Also said of a ship when
she has gained head-way after standing still, and begins to obey the
helm.

FEINT. A mock assault, generally made to conceal a true one.

FELL, TO. To cut down timber. To knock down by a heavy blow. _Fell_ is
the Anglo-Saxon for a skin or hide.

FELL-HEAD. The top of a mountain not distinguished by a peak.

FELL IN WITH. Met by chance.

FELLOES [from _felly_]. The arch-pieces which form the rim or
circumference of the wheel, into which the spokes and handles are
fitted.

FELLOW. A sailor's soubriquet for himself; he will ask if you "have
anything for a fellow to do?"

FELLS. Upland levels and mountainous tracts.

FELT. Stuff made of wool and hair. Patent felt is saturated with tar,
and used t