DILLY-WRECK. A common corruption of _derelict_ (which see). DIME. An American silver coin, in value the tenth of a dollar. DIMINISHED ANGLE. In fortification, that formed by the exterior side and the line of defence. DIMINISHING PLANK. The same as _diminishing stuff_ (which see). DIMINISHING STRAKES. _See_ BLACK-STRAKE. DIMINISHING STUFF. In ship-building, the planking wrought under the wales, where it is thinned progressively to the thickness of the bottom plank. DIMINUTION OF OBLIQUITY. A slow approximation of the planes of the ecliptic and the equator, at the present rate of 0·485″ annually. DIMSEL. A piece of stagnant water, larger than a pond and less than a lake. DING, TO. To dash down or throw with violence. DING-DONG. Ships firing into each other in good earnest. DINGHEY. A small boat of Bombay, propelled by paddles, and fitted with a settee sail, the mast raking forwards; also, the boats in use on the Hooghly; also, a small extra boat in men-of-war and merchant ships. DINGLE. A hollow vale-like space between two hills. A clough; also, a sort of boat used in Ireland, a coracle. DINNAGE. _See_ DUNNAGE. DIP. The inclination of the magnetic needle towards the earth. (_See_ DIPPING-NEEDLE.) Also, the smallest candle formerly issued by the purser. DIP, TO. To lower. An object is said to be dipping when by refraction it is visible just above the horizon. Also, to quit the deck suddenly. DIP OF THE HORIZON. The angle contained between the sensible and apparent horizons, the angular point being the eye of the observer; or it is an allowance made in all astronomical observations of altitude for the height of the eye above the level of the sea. DIPPED. The limb of the sun or moon as it instantly dips below the horizon. DIPPER. A name for the water-ousel (_Cinclus aquaticus_). A bird of the Passerine order, but an expert diver, frequenting running streams in mountainous countries. DIPPING-LADLE. A metal ladle for taking boiling pitch from the cauldron. DIPPING-NEEDLE. An instrument for ascertaining the amount of the magnet's inclination towards the earth; it is so delicately suspended, that, instead of vibrating horizontally, one end _dips_ or yields to the vertical force. This instrument has been so perfected by Mr. R. W. Fox of Falmouth, that even at sea in the heaviest gales of wind the dip could instantly, by magnetic deflectors, be ascertained to _minutes_, far beyond what heretofore could be elicited from the most expensive instruments, observed over 365 days on shore. DIPPING-NET. A small net used for taking shad and other fish out of the water. DIPS. _See_ LEAD-LINE.