was also called _camp-fight_.

ACROSS THE TIDE. A ship riding across tide, with the wind in the
direction of the tide, would tend to leeward of her anchor; but with a
weather tide, or that running against the wind, if the tide be strong,
would tend to windward. A ship under sail should prefer the tack that
stems the tide, with the wind _across the stream_, when the anchor is
let go.

ACROSTOLIUM. A buckler, helmet, or other symbolical ornament on the prow
of ancient ships; the origin of the modern figure-head.

ACT AND INTENTION. Must be united in admiralty law.

ACTE. A peninsula; the term was particularly applied by the ancients to
the sea-coast around Mount Athos.

ACT OF COURT. The decision of the court or judge on the verdict, or the
overruling of the court on a point of law.

ACT OF GOD. This comprehends all sudden accidents arising from physical
causes, as distinguished from _human_ agency, such as from lightning,
earthquakes, hurricanes, plagues, and epidemic contagion amongst the
crew. For none of these are ship-owners responsible.

ACT OF GRACE. An act of parliament for a general and free pardon to
deserters from the service and others.

ACTING COMMISSION. When a commissioned officer is invalided, his vacancy
is filled up pending the pleasure of the admiralty by an acting order.
But when an officer dies on a station, where the admiralty delegates the
power to the admiral commanding in chief, the vacancy is filled by an
acting commission. Thus also rear-admirals now act on acting commissions
as vice-admirals during command on their station, but return to their
proper position on the navy list when it ceases.

ACTION. Synonymous with _battle_. Also a term in mechanics for the
effort which one body exerts against another, or the effects resulting
therefrom.--_Action and reaction_, the mutual, successive, contrary
impulses of two bodies.

ACTIVE SERVICE. Duty against an enemy; operations in his presence. Or in
the present day it denotes serving on full-pay, on the active list, in
contradistinction to those who are virtually retired, and placed on
separate lists.

ACTIVITY. The virtue of acting. The sphere of _activity_ is the
surrounding space to which the efficacy of a body extends, as the
attraction of the magnet.

ACTO, OR ACTON. A kind of defensive tunic, made of quilted leather, or
other strong material, formerly worn under the outer dress, and even
under a coat of mail.

ACTUARIAE. Long ligh