OCTAGON. A geometrical figure which has eight equal sides and angles.
ODHARAG. The name of the young cormorant in our northern isles.
OE. An island [from the Ang.-Sax.] Oes are violent whirlwinds off the Faeroe Islands, said at times to raise the water in syphons.
OFERLANDERS. Small vessels on the Rhine and the Meuse.
OFF. The opposite to near. Also applied to a ship sailing from the shore into the open sea. Also, implies abreast of, or near, as "We were off Cape Finisterre."—Nothing off! The order to the helmsman not to suffer the ship to fall off from the wind.
OFFAL. Slabs, chips, and refuse of timber, sold in fathom lots at the dockyards.
OFF AND ON. When a ship beating to windward approaches the shore by one board, and recedes from it when on the other. Also used to denote an undecided person. Dodging off a port.
OFF AT A TANGENT. Going in a hurry, or in a testy humour.
OFF DUTY. An officer, marine, or seaman in his watch below, &c. An officer is sometimes put "off duty" as a punishment.
OFFENCES. Crimes which are not capital, but by the custom of the service come under the articles of war.