An Universal Dictionary of the Marine / Or, a Copious Explanation of the Technical Terms and Phrases Employed in the Construction, Equipment, Furniture, Machinery, Movements, and Military Operations of a Ship. Illustrated With Variety of Original Designs of Shipping, in Different Situations; Together With Separate Views of Their Masts, Sails, Yards, and Rigging. to Which Is Annexed, a Translation of the French Sea-terms and Phrases, Collected from the Works of Mess. Du Hamel, Aubin, Saverien, &c.

by William Falconer

MORTAISE, a hole or mortise, cut to receive the end of a piece of timber, called the tenant or tenon.

Mortaise de gouvernail, the hole in the rudder-head which contains the tiller.

Mortaise de poulie, the channel, or vacant space in a block formed to contain the sheave.

Mortaise du mât de hune, the fid-hole of a top-mast.

MORTE-d’eau, or Morte-eau, nip tides, or neap-tides; also dead low water.

MORTIER, a mortar, employed to throw bombs or carcases from a ketch.

MOUFFLE de poulie, the shell of a block. See Arcasse.

MOUILLAGE, anchoring-ground.

Mauvais Mouillage, foul ground, bad anchor-ground, or foul bottom.

MOUILLE, let go the anchor! the order to let the anchor fall from the cat-head to the bottom.