Nathaniel Bowditch

The Complete Nautical Dictionary Nathaniel Bowditch

This book represents the ultimate nautical dictionary available in the world today. Originally commenced 200 years ago by Nathaniel Bowditch. Now with 6,650 words the old and the modern are all here. It may be an important book on every boat. It provides many happy hours of browsing. aclinal., adj. Without dip; horizontal. aclinic., adj. Without magnetic dip. aclinic line. . The magnetic equator; the line on the surface of the earth connecting all points of zero magnetic dip. acoustics., n. 1. That branch of physics dealing with sound. 2. The sound characteristics of a room, auditorium, etc., which determine its quality with respect to distinct hearing. acquisition., n. The selection of those targets or satellites requiring a tracking procedure and the initiation of their tracking. acre., n. A unit of area equal to 43,560 square feet. active satellite. . 1. An artificial satellite which transmits an electromagnetic signal. A satellite with the capability to transmit, repeat, or retransmit electromagnetic information, as contrasted with PASSIVE SATELLITE. 2. As defined by International Telecommunications Union (ITU), an earth satellite carrying a station intended to transmit or re transmit radio communication signals. dried ice. . Sea ice from the surface of which meltwater has disappeared after the formation of cracks and thaw holes. During the period of drying, the surface whitens. drift axis. . On a gyroscope, the axis about which drift occurs. In a directional gyro with the spin axis mounted horizontally the drift axis is the vertical axis. See also SPIN AXIS, TOPPLE AXIS. drift bottle. . An identifiable float allowed to drift with ocean currents to determine their sets and drifts. oblique graticule. A fictitious graticule based upon an oblique map projection. oblique latitude. Angular distance from an oblique equator. See also FICTITIOUS LATITUDE. oblique longitude. Angular distance between a prime oblique meridian and any given oblique meridian. See also FICTITIOUS LONGITUDE. oblique map projection. A map projection with an axis inclined at an oblique angle to the plane of the equator.