LEITH. A channel on the coast of Sweden, like that round the point of Landfoort to Stockholm.
LEMBUS. A light undecked vessel, used by ancient pirates.
LEMING-STAR. An old name for a comet.
LEMON-ROB. The inspissated juice of limes or lemons, a powerful anti-scorbutic.
LEND A FIST or a Hand. A request to another to help.
LEND US YOUR POUND HERE! A phrase demanding assistance in man-weight; alluding to the daily allowance of beef.
LENGTHENING. The operation of cutting a ship down across the middle, and adding a certain portion to her length. This is done by sawing her planks asunder in different parts of her length, on each side of the midship-frame, to prevent her from being weakened too much in one place. One end is then drawn apart to the required distance. An intermediate piece of timber is next added to the keel, and the vacancy filled up. The two parts of the keelson are afterwards united. Finally, the planks of the side are prolonged, so as to unite with each other, and those of the ceiling refitted.
LENGTHENING-PIECE. The same as [short top-timber] (which see).
LENS. The glass of a telescope, or of a microscope, with curved surfaces like a lentil, whence the name.
LENT. The spring fast, during which butchers were prohibited to kill flesh unless for victualling ships, except by special license.