To lower the yards a-portoise

To lower the yards a-portoise
Portoise Por"toise, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative, portable.] (Naut.) The gunwale of a ship. [1913 Webster]

{To lower the yards a-portoise}, to lower them to the gunwale.

{To ride a portoise}, to ride an anchor with the lower yards and topmasts struck or lowered, as in a gale of wind. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Portoise — Por toise, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative, portable.] (Naut.) The gunwale of a ship. [1913 Webster] {To lower the yards a portoise}, to lower them to the gunwale. {To ride a portoise}, to ride an anchor with the lower yards and topmasts… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To ride a portoise — Portoise Por toise, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative, portable.] (Naut.) The gunwale of a ship. [1913 Webster] {To lower the yards a portoise}, to lower them to the gunwale. {To ride a portoise}, to ride an anchor with the lower yards and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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