DICTIONARY OF

Ellipse 127 Engagement
Ellipse. Plane figure bounded by a curve around two points (foci) of such form that the sum
of length of two lines drawn from any point in curve to the two foci will be equal to length
of major axis. Ellipse is important in that its perimeter is the curve in which any satellite
heavenly body goes around its primary.
Elliptical Constituents. Those increases and decreases in tidal heights and intervals that are
due to elliptical curve of Moon's orbit around Earth.
Ellipticity. Alternative name for 'Compression of Earth's axis'.
Elmo's Fire. Corposant. 'St. Elmo's Fire.'
Elnath. Star Tauri. S.H.A. 279°; Dec. N29°; Mag. 1-8.
Elongation. Distance of Moon, or planet, from Sun, when measured in celestial longitude.
Elongation of metal is increase in length when due to tensile stresses; also applied to the
maximum amount that it will increase without fracture.
Elphinstone's Speed Indicator. Instrument used in conjunction with Forbe's log to convert
distance recordings into speed indications.
Eitanin. Star y Draconis. S.H.A. 91°; Dec. N51°; Mag. 2-4.
Embargo. Governmental restraint on the sailing of a ship from a port, or the shipment of
specified cargoes.
Embarkation. The going on board, or putting on board a vessel.
Embrail. To brail up, or brail in, a sail.
Emersion. End of an occulation when occulted body emerges from behind the occulting
body.
Emigrant. Person who goes from one country to settle in another. In law, is a steerage
passenger.
Emigrant Ship. One carrying emigrants. In law, is one carrying more than 50 steerage
passengers, or one statute adult for every 20 tons (33 tons in sailing ship) of registered
tonnage.
Enavigate.* To sail out.
Encumbered Vessel. One so employed that full movement under sail, engines or steering
gear is not to be expected.
End for End. Reversal of a rope, spar, etc., so that one end occupies the position previously
held by the other.
End On. Said of a vessel when her fore and aft line coincides with observer's line of sight.
More specifically applied to an approaching vessel whose fore and aft line is in line with
fore and aft line of observer's vessel.
End on Rule. Rule of International Rules for Preventing Collision at Sea. So called because
it deals with steam vessels approaching end on.
Endorsement. Writing on back of document as a ratification, approval, acknowledgement or
sanction.
End Plates. Flat plates forming ends of a cylindrical boiler.
End Ring. Band fitted at end of a spar to prevent splitting.
End Seizing. 'Flat Seizing.'
Endurance. Number of miles a vessel can travel at a given speed, or horse power, before
exhausting her fuel.
Engagement. Act of hiring or employing.