atitude in those particular regions where accidental refractions are
very great, for the difference between the calculated dip and that
observed by the sector may exceed three minutes. It is a reflecting
instrument, of small compass, but requiring patience and practice in its
use.

DIPSY. The float of a fishing-line.

DIRECT-ACTING ENGINE. A steam engine in which the connecting rod is led
at once from the head of the piston to the crank, thus communicating the
rotatory motion without the intervention of side-levers.

DIRECT FIRE. One of the five varieties into which artillerists usually
divide _horizontal fire_ (which see).

DIRECTION OR SET OF THE WIND AND CURRENT. These are opposite terms; the
direction of the winds and waves being named from the point of the
compass _whence_ they come; but the direction of a current is the point
_towards_ which it runs. A current running to leeward is said to have a
_leeward set_, the opposite is a _windward set_.

DIRECTION. _See_ ARC OF DIRECTION.

DIRECT MOTION. _See_ MOTION.

DIRK. A small _do-little_ sword or dagger, formerly worn by junior naval
officers on duty.

DIRT-GABARD. A large ballast-lighter.

DIRTY AULIN. A name for the arctic skua (_Cataractes parasiticus_), a
sea-bird, allied to the gulls.

DIRTY DOG AND NO SAILOR OR SOLDIER. A mean, spiritless, and utterly
useless rascal.

DISABLED. To be placed _hors de combat_ by the weather or an enemy.

DISAPPOINT. To counterwork an enemy's operations in mining.

DISARM. To deprive people of their weapons and ammunition.

DISBANDED. When the officers and men of a regiment are dismissed, on a
reduction of the army.

DISC, OR DISK. In nautical astronomy, the circular visible surface
presented by any celestial body to the eye of the observer.

DISCARCARE. [Ital.] An old term meaning to unlade a vessel.

DISCHARGED. When applied to a ship, signifies when she is unladen. When
expressed of the officers or crew, it implies that they are disbanded
from immediate service; and in individual cases, that the person is
dismissed in consequence of long service, disability, or at his own
request. When spoken of cannon, it means that it is fired off.

DISCHARGE-TICKET. On all foreign stations men are discharged by _foreign
remove-tickets_, and in other cases by _dead_, _sick_, or _unserviceable
ticket_, whether at home or abroad.

DISCHARGE-VALVE. In the marine engine, is a valve covering the top of
the barrel of the ai