MIZZEN-MAST. The aftermost mast of a ship. (See PLATE 1.) The spanker is sometimes called the _mizzen_. MONKEY BLOCK. A small single block strapped with a swivel. MOON-SAIL. A small sail sometimes carried in light winds, above a sky sail. MOOR. To secure by two anchors. (See page 88.) MORTICE. A _morticed block_ is one made out of a whole block of wood with a hole cut in it for the sheave; in distinction from a _made block_. (See page 53.) MOULDS. The patterns by which the frames of a vessel are worked out. MOUSE. To put turns of rope yarn or spunyarn round the end of a hook and its standing part, when it is hooked to anything, so as to prevent its slipping out. MOUSING. A knot or puddening, made of yarns, and placed on the outside of a rope. MUFFLE. Oars are muffled by putting mats or canvass round their looms in the row-locks. MUNIONS. The pieces that separate the lights in the galleries. NAVAL HOODS, or HAWSE BOLSTERS. Plank above and below the hawse-holes. NEAP TIDES. Low tides, coming at the middle of the moon's second and fourth quarters. (See SPRING TIDES.) NEAPED, or BENEAPED. The situation of a vessel when she is aground at the height of the spring tides. NEAR. Close to wind. "Near!" the order to the helmsman when he is too near the wind. NETTING. Network of rope or small lines. Used for stowing away sails or hammocks. NETTLES. (See KNITTLES.) NINEPIN BLOCK. A block in the form of a ninepin, used for a _fair-leader_ in the rail. NIP. A short turn in a rope. NIPPERS. A number of yarns marled together, used to secure a cable to the messenger. NOCK. The forward upper end of a sail that sets with a boom. NUN-BUOY. A buoy tapering at each end. NUT. Projections on each side of the shank of an anchor, to secure the stock to its place. OAKUM. Stuff made by picking rope-yarns to pieces. Used for caulking, and other purposes. OAR. A long wooden instrument with a flat blade at one end, used for propelling boats. OFF-AND-ON. To stand on different tacks towards and from the land. OFFING. Distance from the shore. ORLOP. The lower deck of a ship of the line; or that on which the cables are stowed. OUT-HAUL. A rope used for hauling out the clew of a boom sail. OUT-RIGGER. A spar rigged out to windward from the tops or cross-trees, to spread the breast-backstays. (See page 25.) OVERHAUL. _To overhaul a tackle_, is to let go the fall and pull on the leading parts so as to separate the blocks. _To overhaul a rope_, is generally to pull a part through a block so as to make slack. _To overhaul rigging_, is to examine it. OVER-RAKE. Said of heavy seas which come over a vessel's head when she is at anchor, head to the sea. PAINTER. A rope attached to the bows of a boat, used for making her fast. PALM. A piece of leather fitted over the hand, with an iron for the head of a needle to press against in sewing upon canvass. Also, the fluke of an anchor. PANCH. (See PAUNCH.)