erica.

ASK, OR ASKER. A name of the water-newt.

ASKEW. Awry, crooked, oblique.

ASLANT. Formed or placed in an oblique line, as with dagger-knees,
&c.--_To sail aslant_, turning to windward.

ASLEEP. The sail filled with wind just enough for swelling or bellying
out,--as contrasted with its flapping.

ASPECT. The looming of the land from sea-ward.

ASPER. A minute Turkish coin in accounts, of which three go to a para.

ASPIC. An ancient 12-pounder piece of ordnance, about 11 feet long.

ASPIRANT DE MARINE. Midshipman in the French navy.

ASPORTATION. The carrying of a vessel or goods illegally.

ASSAIL, TO. To attack, leap upon, board, &c.

ASSAULT. A hostile attack. The effort to storm a place, and gain
possession of a post by main force.

ASSEGAI. The spear used by the Kaffirs in South Africa; it is frequently
feather-bent to revolve in its flight.

ASSEGUAY. The knife-dagger used in the Levant.

ASSEMBLY. That long roll beat of the drum by which soldiers, or armed
parties, are ordered to repair to their stations. It is sometimes called
the _fall-in_.

ASSES'-BRIDGE. The well-known name of prop. 5, b. i. of Euclid, the
difficulty of which makes many give in.

ASSIEGE, TO. To besiege, to invest or beset with an armed force.

ASSIGNABLE. Any finite geometrical ratio, or magnitude that can be
marked out or denoted.

ASSILAG. The name given in the Hebrides to a small sea-bird with a black
bill. The stormy petrel.

ASSISTANCE. Aid or help: strongly enjoined to be given whenever a signal
is made requiring it.

ASSISTANT-SURGEON. The designation given some years ago to those
formerly called "surgeon's mates," and considered a boon by the corps.

ASSORTMENT. The arrangement of goods, tools, &c., in a series.

ASSURANCE. (_See_ MARINE INSURANCE.) Conveyance or deed: in which light
Shakspeare makes Tranio say that his father will "pass assurance."

ASSURGENT. A heraldic term for a man or beast rising out of the sea.

ASSUROR. He who makes out the policy of assurance for a ship: he is not
answerable for the neglect of the master or seamen.

A-STARBOARD. The opposite to _a-port_.

A-STAY. Said of the anchor when, in heaving in, the cable forms such an
angle with the surface as to appear in a line with the stays of the
ship.--_A long stay_ apeek is when the cable forms an acute angle with
the water's surface, or coincides with the main-stay--_short stay_ when
it coincides with the fore-stay.

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