PORTUGUESE. A gold coin, value £1, 16s., called also moiadobras.
PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR. A beautiful floating acalephan of the tropical seas; the Physalia pelagica.
POSITION. Ground (or water) occupied, or that may be advantageously occupied, in fighting order.
POSITION, GEOGRAPHICAL, of any place on the surface of the earth, is the determination of its latitude and longitude, and its height above the level of the sea.
POSSESSORY. A suit entered in the admiralty court by owners for the seizing of their ship.
POST. Any ground, fortified or not, where a body of men can be in a condition for defence, or fighting an enemy. Also, the limits of a sentinel's charge.
POST-CAPTAIN. Formerly a captain of three years' standing, now simply captain, but equal to colonel in the army, by date of commission.
POSTED. Promoted from commander to captain in the navy; a word no longer officially used.
POSTERN. A small passage constructed through some retired part of a bastion, or other portion of a work, for the garrison's minor communications with the town, unperceived by the enemy.
POSTING. Placing people for special duty. Also, publicly handing out a bad character.