e is termed the first
futtock-rider, the next the second futtock-rider, and so on.

FUTTOCKS, OR FOOT-HOOKS. The separate pieces of timber which compose the
frame. There are four futtocks (component parts of the rib), and
occasionally five, to a ship. The timbers that constitute her
breadth--the middle division of a ship's timbers, or those parts which
are situated between the floor and the top timbers--separate timbers
which compose the frame. Those next the keel are called ground-futtocks
or navel-timbers, and the rest upper futtocks.

FUTTOCK-SHROUDS, OR FOOT-HOOK SHROUDS. Are short pieces of rope or chain
which secure the lower dead-eyes and futtock-plates of top-mast rigging
to a band round a lower mast.

FUTTOCK-STAFF. A short piece of wood or iron, seized across the upper
part of the shrouds at equal distances, to which the cat-harping legs
are secured.

FUTTOCK-TIMBERS. _See_ FUTTOCKS.

FUZE. Formerly called also _fuzee_. The adjunct employed with shells for
igniting the bursting charge at the required moment. Time-fuzes,
prepared with some composition burning at a known rate, are cut or set
to a length proportionate to the time which the shell is destined to
occupy in its flight; concussion and percussion fuzes ignite the charge
on impact on the object: the former by the dislocation of some of its
parts throwing open new passages for its flame, and the latter by the
action of various mechanism on its inner priming of detonating
composition. They are made either of wood or of metal, and of various
form and size according to the kind of ordnance they are intended for.
Time-fuzes of special manufacture are also applied to igniting the
charges of mines, subaqueous blasts, &c.

FUZZY. Not firm or sound in substance.

FYKE. A large bow-net used on the American coasts for taking the shad;
hence called _shad-fykes_. Also, the _Medusa cruciata_, or Medusa's
head.

FYRDUNG [the Anglo-Saxon _fyrd ung_, military service]. This appears on
our statutes for inflicting a penalty on those who evaded going to war
at the king's command.

G.

GAB. A notch on the eccentric rod of a steam-engine for fitting a pin in
the gab-lever to break the connection with the slide-valves. (_See_
GABBE.)

GABARRE. Originally a river lighter; now a French store-ship.

GABART, OR GABBERT. A flat vessel with a long hatchway, used in canals
and rivers.

GABBE. An old but vulgar term for the mouth.--_Gift of the gab_, or
_gl