WILLIWAW. A sort of whirlwind, occurring in Tierra del Fuego.
WILLOCK. A name for the guillemot, Uria troile.
WIMBLE. The borer of a carpenter's centre-bit.
WINCH [from the Anglo-Saxon wince]. A purchase formed by a shaft whose extremities rest in two channels placed horizontally or perpendicularly, and furnished with cranks, or clicks, and pauls. It is employed as a purchase by which a rope or tackle-fall may be more powerfully applied than when used singly. A small one with a fly-wheel is used for making ropes and spun-yarn. Also, a support to the windlass ends. Also, the name of long iron handles by which the chain-pumps are worked. Also, a small cylindrical machine attached to masts or bitts in vessels, for the purpose of hoisting anything out of the hold, warping, &c.
WINCH-BITTS. The supports near their ends.
WIND [precisely the Anglo-Saxon word]. A stream or current of air which may be felt. The horizon being divided into 32 points (see [Compass]), the wind which blows from any of them has an assignable name.
WINDAGE. The vacant space left between a shot and the bore of the piece to which it belongs, generally expressed by the difference of their diameters; it is for facility of loading, but the smaller it is the better will be the performance of the gun.
WIND AND WATER LINE. That part of a ship lying at the surface of the water which is alternately wet and dry by the motion of the waves.
WIND A SHIP OR BOAT, To. To change her position by bringing her stern round to the place where the head was. (See [Wending].)
WIND AWAY, To. To steer through narrow channels.