archaic term for a halbert or hand-axe.
GIVE A SPELL. To intermit or relieve work. (_See_ SPELL.)
GIVE CHASE, TO. To make sail in pursuit of a stranger.
GIVE HER SO AND SO. The direction of the officer of the watch to the
midshipman, reporting the rate of sailing by the log, and which requires
correction in the judgment of that officer, from winds, &c., before
marking on the log-board.
GIVE HER SHEET. The order to ease off; give her rope.
GIVE WAY. The order to a boat's crew to renew rowing, or to increase
their exertions if they were already rowing. To hang on the oars.
GIVE WAY TOGETHER. So that the oars may all dip and rise together,
whereby the force is concentrated.
GIVE WAY WITH A WILL. Pull heartily together.
GIVING. The surging of a seizing; new rope stretching to the strain.
GLACIS. In fortification, that smooth earthen slope outside the ditch
which descends to the country, affording a secure parapet to the covered
way, and exposing always a convenient surface to the fire of the place.
GLADENE. A very early designation of the sea-onion.
GLAIRE. A broadsword or falchion fixed on a pike.
GLANCE. (_See_ NORTHERN-GLANCE.) Also, a name for anthracite coal.
GLASAG. The Gaelic name of an edible sea-weed of our northern isles.
GLASS. The usual appellation for a telescope (see the old sea song of
Lord Howard's capture of Barton the pirate). Also, the familiar term for
a barometer. _Glass_ is also used in the plural to denote time-glass on
the duration of any action; as, they fought yard-arm and yard-arm three
glasses, _i.e._ three half-hours.--_To flog or sweat the half-hour
glass._ To turn the sand-glass before the sand has quite run out, and
thus gaining a few minutes in each half-hour, make the watch too
short.--_Half-minute and quarter-minute glasses_, used to ascertain the
rate of the ship's velocity measured by the log; they should be
occasionally compared with a good stop watch.--_Night-glass._ A
telescope adapted for viewing objects at night.
GLASS CLEAR? Is the sand out of the upper part? asked previously to
turning it, on throwing the log.
GLASSOK. A coast name for the say, seath, or coal-fish.
GLAVE. A light hand-dart. Also, a sword-blade fixed on the end of a
pole.
GLAYMORE. A two-handed sword. (_See_ CLAYMORE.)
GLAZED POWDER. Gunpowder of which the grains, by friction against one
another in a barrel worked for the purpose, have acquired a fine polish,
sometimes promo
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