ANCHOR-WATCH. A subdivision of the watch kept constantly on deck during the time the ship lies at single anchor, to be in readiness to hoist jib or staysails, to keep the ship clear of her anchor; or in readiness to veer more cable or let go another anchor in case the ship should drive or part her anchor. This watch is also in readiness to avoid collision in close rivers by veering cable, setting sail, using the helm, &c., which formerly involved the essence of seamanship. ANCHOVY. The _Engraulis encrasicholus_. A small fish of the family _Clupeidæ_, about four inches in length, much used in sauces and seasoning when cured. It is migratory, but principally taken in the Mediterranean, where those of Gorgona are most esteemed in commerce. ANCIENT. A term formerly used for the colours and their bearer, as ensign is now. Shakspeare's Nym was only a corporal, but Pistol was an ancient. ANCON. A corner or angle of a knee-timber.--_Ancon_ [Sp.] Harbour, bay, or anchorage. ANCOR-STRENG. A very old designation of a cable. ANCYLE. A kind of dart thrown with a leathern thong. ANDREA-FERRARA. _See_ FERRARA. ANDREW, OR ANDREW MILLAR. A cant name for a man-of-war, and also for government and government authorities. ANDROMEDA. A hemispherical medusa found in the Indian and Red Seas. The body is transparent and brownish, with a black cross in the middle, and has foliaceous white arms on the under part. ANDROMEDÆ α. (Alpheratz.) A star of the first magnitude in the constellation of Andromeda. ANELACE. The early name for a dirk or dagger usually worn at the girdle. ANEMOMACHIA. A whirlwind or hurricane in old writers. ANEMOMETER, OR WIND-GAUGE. An instrument wherewith to measure the direction and velocity of wind under its varying forces--a desideratum at sea. ANEMONE. _See_ ANIMAL FLOWERS. ANEMOSCOPE. A vane index with pointers to tell the changes of the wind without referring to the weather-cock. AN-END. The position of any spar when erected perpendicularly to the deck. The top-masts are said to be _an-end_ when swayed up to their usual stations and fidded. To strike a spar or plank _an-end_ is to drive it in the direction of its length. (_See_ EVERY ROPE AN-END.) ANENT, OR ANENST. Opposite to; over against. ANEROID. A portable barometer or instrument for showing variations of the weather by the pressure of the atmosphere upon a metallic box hermetically sealed. ANEROST. A coast-word of the western counties for _nigh_ or _almost_. ANEW. Enough, as relating to number. ANGEL-FISH. The _Squatina angelus_, of the shark family. It inhabits the northern seas, is six or eight feet long, with a cinereous rough back and white smooth belly; the mouth is beneath the anterior part of the head, and the pectoral fins are very large. (Also, _Chætodon_.) ANGEL-HEAD. The hook or barb of an arrow; probably _angle-head_. ANGEL-SHOT. A ball cut in two, and the halves joined by a chain.