The Bosunīs Mate Glossary of Terms
The Bosunīs Mate dictionary of Nautical Terms has been compiled from many sources and is constantly being augmented and revised in our attempt to capture as much of the rich yet complicated (and often conflicting) maritime termonology as possible.
You will find an extensive list of information about all sorts of nautical items from sailorīs knots to the sailors themselves, and from ships to the weather patterns of the seas they ply.
Random terms, by category
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
(41 terms)
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The things sailors do
(8 terms)
Hike
To lean out over the side of a smaller sailing vessel to balance it against the force of the wind. In some vessels an apparatus is rigged to assist in leaning our further called a trapeze.
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Why say back when you can say aft instead!
(20 terms)
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Common sayings and expressions from maritime lore
(149 terms)
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The foods of the sea
(2 terms)
Scurvy
A disease historically common to seaman, caused by lack of Vitamin C the British Navy started to fight it bu adding lime juice to their water - this was the origin of the slan "Limey"
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Various knots both functional and ornamental from the nautical to the ornamental and with both historic and present day value.
(12 terms)
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Bits and bobs from life aboard ship
(5 terms)
Q flag
All yellow signal flag meaning "My vessel is healthy and I request free passage.
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Specific sailing maneuvers
(33 terms)
Gybe
1. To go from one Tack to the other when running with the wind coming over the Stern.
2. The moment when the Boom swings across the Hull while changing tacks in this manner. If handeled correctly a Fore and Aft rigged vessel should be able to Gybe safely regardless of wind strength. This is accomplished through easing Preventer tackle (if any) and by hauling in the main sheets so that there is less travel for the main Boom during the Gybe. An unintentional Gybe, which can be the result ... |
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The points of sail and seamanship
(76 terms)
Latitude
A graduation of the surface of the earth measured north or south of the equator and expressed in degrees with the equator being 0° and the poles being 90°.
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The parts of ships
(131 terms)
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Important people and/or their positions in nautical history
(14 terms)
Landlubbers
In the plural Landlubber usually referred to the general populous on shore. Landlubber itself was a derogatory term whereas in the plural it becomes more general and less of a "put-down"
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Key locations of the maritime world
(20 terms)
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Rigging components and terms
(104 terms)
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Sails, their parts and materials
(30 terms)
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Types of vessels and some famous examples
(22 terms)
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The various spars used aboard ship
(6 terms)
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The tools of the trade
(27 terms)
Daybeacon
A fixed structure (Navigation aid) on shore or in shallow waters upon which is placed one or more daymarks.
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terms awaiting clasification
(36 terms)
none found |
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Meteorology and its relationship to sailing
(7 terms)
Quartering Sea
When the wind, and thus the waves, are falling on a boatīs quarter.
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Total Terms: 539 Total Views: 1903395
