Port, Fr. This word is likewise used to express the tonnage of a vessel.
PORTAL, (portail, Fr.) the front or facade of a large building, where the principal gate stands.
To Port, to carry.
Port arms, a word of command which has been adopted during the present war, and is practised in the British army. It consists in bringing the firelock diagonally across the chest from the carry. This position of the musquet affords a great facility to the person who inspects the touch-hole, &c. In dismissing guards, preparing to charge, &c. soldiers are ordered to port arms. The French do not practise this method. Their word of command, haut les armes, corresponds with our recover.
PORTCLUSE, or PORT cullice, in fortification, is an assemblage of several large pieces of wood, joined across one another like a harrow, and each pointed with iron at the bottom. They are sometimes hung over the gate-way of old fortified towns, ready to let down in case of a surprise, when the gates could not be shut.
Port-fire, in artillery, a composition put in a paper case to fire guns and mortars, instead of a lint-stock and match. See [Laboratory Works].
PORTGLAVE, Fr. See [Porte-Epee].
Port de l’arme, Fr. the carriage of the firelock.
| Porte drapeau, | - | |
| Porte enseigne, |
Fr. the person who carries the colors.