of
surprising the enemy without his perceiving the intention until he is
attacked.

AMELIORATION. An allowance made to the neutral purchaser, on reclaiming
a ship irregularly condemned, for repairs she has undergone in his
service.

AMICABLE NUMBERS are such as are mutually equal to the sum of each
other's aliquot parts.

AMIDSHIPS. The middle of the ship, whether in regard to her length
between stem and stern, or in breadth between the two sides. To put the
helm _amidships_ is to place it in a line with the keel. The term,
however, has a more general bearing to the axis of the ship; as guns, or
stores, or place amidships has reference to that line, fore and aft.
Externally the term "amidships" as to striking, boarding, &c., would be
about the main-mast, or half the length of the ship. (_See_ MIDSHIPS.)

AMIDWARD. Towards the 'midship or middle section of the vessel.

AMLAGH. A Manx or Gaelic term denoting to manure with sea-weed.

AMLEE. A Manx or Gaelic term for sea-weed.

AMMUNITION. This word had an infinite variety of meanings. It includes
every description of warlike stores, comprehending not only the
ordnance, but the powder, balls, bullets, cartridges, and
equipments.--_Ammunition bread_, that which is for the supply of armies
or garrisons.--_Ammunition chest_, a box placed abaft near the stern or
in the tops of men-of-war, to contain ammunition, for the arms therein
placed, in readiness for immediate action.--_Ammunition shoes_, those
made for soldiers and sailors, and particularly for use by those
frequenting the magazine, being soft and free from metal.--_Ammunition
waggon_, a close cart for conveying military effects.--_Ammunition
wife_, a name applied to women of doubtful character.

AMNESTY. An act of oblivion, by which, in a professional view, pardon is
granted to those who have rebelled or deserted their colours; also to
deserters who return to their ships.

AMOK. A term signifying slaughter, but denoting the practice of the
Malays, when infuriated to madness with bang (a preparation from a
species of hemp), of sallying into the streets, or decks, to murder any
whom they may chance to meet, until they are either slain or fall from
exhaustion.--_To run a-muck._ To run madly and attack all we meet
(_Pope_, _Dryden_). As in the case of mad dogs, certain death awaited
them, for if not killed in being taken, torture and impalement followed.

AMORAYLE. An archaism of _admiral_.

AMORCE [Fr.] A w