ed to the physical branch of geography, and means the
general character of the weather.

CLINCH. A particular method of fastening large ropes by a half hitch,
with the end stopped back to its own part by seizings; it is chiefly to
fasten the hawsers suddenly to the rings of the kedges or small anchors;
and the breechings of guns to the ring-bolts in the ship's side. Those
parts of a rope or cable which are clinched. Thus the outer end is
"bent" by the clinch to the ring of the anchor. The inner or tier-clinch
in the good old times was clinched to the main-mast, passing under the
tier beams (where it was unlawfully, as regards the custom of the navy,
clinched). Thus "the cable runs out to the clinch," means, there is no
more to veer.--_To clinch_ is to batter or rivet a bolt's end upon a
ring or piece of plate iron; or to turn back the point of a nail that it
may hold fast. (_See_ CLENCH.)

CLINCH A BUSINESS, TO. To finish it; to settle it beyond further
dispute, as the recruit taking the shilling.

CLINCH-BUILT. Clinker, or overlapping edges.

CLINCHER. An incontrovertible and smart reply; but sometimes the
confirmation of a story by a lie, or by some still more improbable yarn:
synonymous with _capping_.

CLINCHER OR CLINKER BUILT. Made of clincher-work, by the planks lapping
one over the other. The contrary of _carvel-work_. Iron ships after this
fashion are distinguished as being _lap-jointed_.

CLINCHER-NAILS. Those which are of malleable metal, as copper, wrought
iron, &c., which clinch by turning back the points in rough-built fir
boats where roofs and clinching are thus avoided.

CLINCHER-WORK. The disposition of the planks in the side of any boat or
vessel, when the lower edge of every plank overlaps that next below it.
This is sometimes written as pronounced, _clinker-work_.

CLIPHOOK. A hook employed for some of the ends of the running rigging.

CLIPPER. A fast sailer, formerly chiefly applied to the sharp-built
raking schooners of America, and latterly to Australian passenger-ships.
Larger vessels now built after their model are termed clipper-built:
sharp and fast; low in the water; rakish.

CLIVE. An old spelling of _cliff_.

CLOCK-CALM. When not a breath of wind ruffles the water.

CLOCK-STARS. A name for the nautical stars, which, from their positions
having been very exactly ascertained, are used for determining time.

CLOD-HOPPER. A clownish lubberly landsman.

CLOKIE-DOO. A west of Scot