Belay—To make fast a rope or fall of a tackle.
Below—Greenhorns call it "downstairs" and seamen laugh at them.
Bight—A loop of a rope.
Bilge—The round in a vessel's timbers where they turn from her sides toward the keel.
Binnacle—A case in which the compass is contained.
Block and block—When the blocks of a tackle are hauled close together.
Bolt rope—The rope sewn round the edges of sails. It is made of the best hemp.
Bonnet—An extra piece of canvas laced to the foot of a jib or foresail, taken off when it blows hard.
Box the compass—To call over the points of the compass in correct order.
Break off—When a vessel sailing close-hauled is headed by the wind and is unable to lay the course she was steering.