t has been swayed high enough the fid is then
inserted, and the mast-rope relieved of the weight.

FIDDLE. A contrivance to prevent things from rolling off the table in
bad weather. It takes its name from its resemblance to a fiddle, being
made of small cords passed through wooden bridges, and hauled very taut.

FIDDLE-BLOCK. A long shell, having one sheave over the other, and the
lower smaller than the upper (_see_ LONG-TACKLES), in contradistinction
to double blocks, which also have two sheaves, but one abreast of the
other. They lie flatter and more snugly to the yards, and are chiefly
used for lower-yard tackles.

FIDDLE-FISH. A name of the king-crab (_Limulus polyphemus_), from its
supposed resemblance to that instrument.

FIDDLE-HEAD. When there is no figure; this means that the termination of
the head is formed by a scroll turning aft or inward like a violin: in
contradistinction to the _scroll-head_ (which see).

FIDE JUSSORS. Bail sureties in the instance court of the admiralty.

FIDLER. A small crab, with one large claw and a very small one. It
burrows on drowned lands.

FIDLER'S GREEN. A sort of sensual Elysium, where sailors are represented
as enjoying, for "a full due," those amenities for which Wapping, Castle
Rag, and the back of Portsmouth Point were once noted.

FIELD. The country in which military operations are being carried on;
the scene of a conflict.--_Taking the field_, quitting cantonments, and
going on active service.

FIELD-ALLOWANCE. A small extra payment made to officers, and sometimes
to privates, on active service in the field, to compensate partly the
enhanced price of all necessaries.

FIELD-ARTILLERY. Light ordnance fitted for travel as to be applicable to
the active operations of the field. The term generally includes the
officers, men, and horses, also the service. According to the present
excellent establishment of rifled field-guns for the British service,
the Armstrong 12-pounder represents the average type.

FIELD-DAY. A day of exercise and evolutions.

FIELD-FORTIFICATION. Is the constructing of works intended to strengthen
the position of forces operating in the field; works of that temporary
and limited quality which may be easily formed with the means at hand.

FIELD-GLASS. A telescope, frequently so termed. Also, the binocular or
opera-glass, used for field-work, night-work, and at races.

FIELD-GUN. _See_ FIELD-ARTILLERY.

FIELD-ICE. A sheet of smooth frozen