trength]. This was the old word to
an enemy for "yield," and was written _amayne_ and _almayne_. Its
literal signification is, with force or vigour, all at once, suddenly;
and it is generally used to anything which is moved by a tackle-fall, as
"lower amain!" let run at once. When we used to demand the salute in
the narrow seas, the lowering of the top-sail was called _striking
amain_ (_see_ STRIKE), and it was demanded by the _wave amain_ (_see_
WAVING), or brandishing a bright sword to and fro.

AMALPHITAN CODE, the oldest code of modern sea-laws, compiled, during
the first Crusade, by the people of Amalfi in Italy, who then possessed
considerable commerce and maritime power.

AMAYE. Sea-marks on the French coast.

AMBASSADOR. A practical joke performed on board ship in warm climates,
in which the dupes are unmercifully ducked in the wash-deck tub:--

"And he was wash'd, who ne'er was wash'd before."

AMBER. A hard resinous substance of vegetable origin, generally of a
bright yellow colour, and translucent. It is chiefly obtained from the
southern shores of the Baltic, and those of Sicily, where it is thrown
up by the sea, but it also occurs in beds of lignite.

AMBERGRIS. A fragrant drug found floating on sea-coasts, the origin and
production of which was long a matter of dispute, although now known to
be a morbid product developed in the intestines of the spermaceti whale
(_Physeter macrocephalus_). It is of a grayish colour, very light,
easily fusible, and is used both as a perfume and a cordial, in various
extracts, essences, and tinctures.

AMBIENT [from _ambio_, Lat., to go round]. Surrounding, or investing;
whence the atmosphere is designated ambient, because it encompasses the
earth.

AMBIGENAL. One of the triple hyperboles of the second order.

AMBIT of a geometrical figure is the perimeter, or the line, or sum or
all the lines, by which it is bounded.

AMBITION is usually denominated a virtue or a vice according to its
direction; but assuredly more of the former, as it is a grand stimulus
to officers to avoid reproach, and aspire to eminence and honour.

AMBLYGON. Obtuse angular.

AMBRY. _See_ AUMBREY.

AMBUSCADE [Span. _emboscada_]. A body of men lying in wait to surprise
an enemy, or cut off his supplies; also the site where they lurk. This,
as well as _ambush_, obviously arose from woods having afforded
hiding-places.

AMBUSH. Signifies an attempt to lie in concealment for the purpose