QUAGMIRE. A marsh in which, from its concave and impermeable bottom, the waters remain stagnant, rendering the surface a quaking bog.
QUAKER. A false or wooden gun; so called in allusion to the "Friends" not fighting.
QUALIFIED PROPERTY. Not only those who have an absolute property in ships and goods, but those also who have but a qualified property therein, may insure them. (See [Equitable Title].)
QUALITIES. The register of the ship's trim, sailing, stowage, &c., all of which are necessary to her behaviour.
QUAMINO. A negro.
QUANT. An old term for a long pole used by the barge-men on our east coast; it is capped to prevent the immerged end from sticking in the mud.
QUARANTINE. Is, at most, a seclusion of forty days, from a free communication with the inhabitants of any country, in order to prevent the importation of the plague, or any other infectious disorder, either by persons or goods. The quarantine laws originated in the Council of Health at Venice in the fourteenth or fifteenth century. (See [Lazaretto].)
QUARRIL. The short dart or arrow shot from a cross-bow; or the bricolle of the middle ages.
QUARRY. The prey taken by whalers; a term borrowed from falconers.
QUARTE. In sword defence was one of the four guards, and also a position in fencing.