TANG, or Tangle. Fucus digitatus, and other sea-weed, which are used as manure.
TANGENT. A right line raised perpendicularly on the extremity of a radius, touching the circle without cutting it.
TANGENT-SCALE. Fitted to the breech of a gun for admeasuring its elevation; it is a sliding pillar marked with degrees and their subdivisions (according to the distance between the sights on the gun), and bears a notch or other sight on its head. With rifled guns a vernier, reading the minutes, is generally added.
TANGENT-SCREW. A screw acting tangentially to a circle, by means of which a slow motion may be given to the vernier of any instrument.
TANG-FISH. A northern name for the seal.
TANK. A piece of deep water, natural as well as artificial. Also, an iron cistern for containing fresh water—a great improvement on wooden casks for keeping water sweet.
TANKA. A covered Chinese shore-boat for conveying passengers to ships; worked by women only.
TANTARA. An old word for the noise of a drum.
TAPERED. A term applied to ropes which decrease in size towards one end, as tacks and sheets. Also termed rat-tailed.
TAPERED CLEAT. A piece of wood bolted under the beams, to support them when pillars are not used.