ARMING. A piece of tallow placed in the cavity and over the bottom of a sounding lead, to which any objects at the bottom of the sea become attached, and are brought with the lead to the surface.
ARMINGS. Red dress cloths which were formerly hung fore and aft, outside the upper works on holidays; still used by foreigners. (See [Top-armings].) It was also the name of a kind of boarding-net.
ARMIPOTENT. Powerful in war.
ARMISTICE. A cessation of arms for a given time; a short truce for the suspension of hostilities.
ARMLET. A narrow inlet of the sea; a smaller branch than the arm. Also the name of a piece of armour for the arm, to protect it from the jar of the bow-string.
ARMOGAN. An old term for good opportunity or season for navigation, which, if neglected, was liable to costs of demurrage. It is a Mediterranean word for fine weather.
ARMORIC. The language of Brittany, Cornwall, and Wales: the word in its original signification meant maritime.
ARMOUR. A defensive habit to protect the wearer from his enemy; also defensive arms. In old statutes this is frequently called harness.
ARMOUR-CLAD. A ship of war fitted with iron plates on the outside to render her shot-proof.
ARMOURER. In a man-of-war, is a person appointed by warrant to keep the small arms in complete condition for service. As he is also the ship's blacksmith, a mate is allowed to assist at the forge.