EATING THE WIND OUT OF A VESSEL. Applies to very keen seamanship, by which the vessel, from a close study of her capabilities, steals to windward of her opponent. This to be done effectually demands very peculiar trim to carry weather helm to a nicety.
EAVER. A provincial term for the direction of the wind. A quarter of the heavens.
EBB. The lineal descendant of the Anglo-Saxon ep-flod, meaning the falling reflux of the tide, or its return back from the highest of the flood, full sea, or high water. Also termed sæ-æbbung, sea-ebbing, by our progenitors.
EBB, Line of. The sea-line of beach left dry by the tide.
EBBER, or Ebber-shore. From the Anglo-Saxon signifying shallow.
EBB-TIDE. The receding or running out of the sea, in contradistinction to flood.
EBONY. A sobriquet for a negro.
ECHELON. [Fr.] Expressing the field-exercise of soldiers, when the divisions are placed in a situation resembling the steps of a ladder, whence the name.
ECHINUS. A word lugged in to signify the sweep of the tiller. (See [Sea-egg].)
ECLIPSE. An obscuration of a heavenly body by the interposition of another, or during its passage through the shadow of a larger body. An eclipse of the sun is caused by the dark body of the moon passing between it and the earth. When the moon's diameter exceeds the sun's, and their centres nearly coincide, a total eclipse of the sun takes place; but if the moon's diameter be less, then the eclipse is annular.