ENCOUNTER. The hostile meeting of two ships or squadrons; also, a conflict between troops.
ENDANGER, To. To expose to peril.
ENDECAGON. In geometry, a plane figure of eleven sides and angles.
ENDELONG. The old English word for lengthways.
END FOR END. Reversing cordage, casks, logs, spars, &c.—To shift a rope end for end, as in a tackle, the fall is made the standing part, and the standing part becomes the fall; or when a rope runs out all a block, and is unreeved; or in coming to an anchor, if the stoppers are not well put on, and the cable runs all out end for end. (See [An-end].)
END OF A TRENCH. The place where the trenches are opened.
END-ON. Said particularly of a ship when only her bows and head-sails are to be seen, but generally used in opposition to broadside-on.
ENEMY. The power or people against whom war is waged.
ENFIELD RIFLE. The name of the present regulation musket for infantry, as made at the government works at Enfield, on an improvement of the Minié principle; whether the breach-loading rifle, which it is intended to substitute for this arm, will acquire the same title, remains to be determined.
ENFILADE FIRE. Is that which sweeps a line of works or men from one end to the other; it is on land nearly the equivalent to "raking fire" at sea.