LONGITUDE BY LUNAR OBSERVATION. The longitude calculated by observing the moon's angular distance from the sun or a fixed star. It is the only check on chronometers, and very valuable in long voyages, though now much neglected, since the establishment of compulsory examination in the merchant service, which does not require lunars.
LONGITUDE OF A CELESTIAL BODY. An arc of the ecliptic, contained between the first point of Aries and a circle of longitude passing through the centre of the body.
LONGITUDINAL SECTION. In ship-building, a line which cuts the draught of a vessel lengthwise.
LONG-JAWED. The state of rope when its strands are straightened by being much strained and untwisted, and from its pliability will coil both ways.
LONG-LEAVE. Permission to visit friends at a distance.
LONG-LEGGED. Said of a vessel drawing much water.—Long leggers, lean schooners. Longer than ordinary proportion to breadth. Swift.
LONG OYSTER. A name of the sea cray-fish.
LONG-SERVICE. A cable properly served to prevent chafing under particular use.
'LONGSHORE. A word used rather contemptuously for alongshore; land usage.—'Longshore fellows, landsmen pretenders.—'Longshore owners, those merchants who become notorious for sending their ships to sea scantily provided with stores and provisions.
LONG-SHOT. A distant range. It is also used to express a long way; a far-fetched explanation; something incredible.