DICTIONARY OF

Waning 377 Warranty
Waning. Said of Moon when she is in her third and fourth quarters, and her illuminated area
is decreasing. Also applied to inferior planets when phasing.
Wapp.* Small sheave, or thimble, in end of a pendant for use as a fair leader.
Ward Robe. Space in olden ships for stowage of valuables taken out of enemy vessels.
Being empty when leaving home ports, it was used as a mess room for officers of
lieutenant's rank –for whom no mess was then provided.
Ward Room. General mess room and meeting place, in H.M. ships, for officers of
lieutenant's rank and above, but excluding flag officers and commanding officer.
Ward Rope.* Early 17 th -century spelling of 'ward robe'.
Warkamoowee. Cingalese canoe with outriggers and sail. Manned by about five men.
Warm Front. A indeterminate line on which a mass of warm air meets and rises over a
mass of colder air. Its approach is usually accompanied by rain.
'Warming the Bell. ' Striking 'eight bells' a little before time at the end of a watch.
Warm Sector. Mass of comparatively warm air between colder air masses.
Warp. The longitudinal threads in canvas and other textiles. 2. Hawser used when warping.
Originally, was a rope smaller than a cable. 3. The line by which a boat rides to a sea anchor.
4. Mooring ropes.
Warpage. The act of warping. 2. A charge made for warping a vessel in harbour.
Warped Strop.* Selvagee strop.
Warping. Moving a vessel by running out a hawser to a fixed point, securing the end at that
point, and then heaving on the rope.
Warping Chock. Chock on side of dock, used when warping vessels.
Warping Hook. Brace used for twisting a yarn when ropemaking.
Warranted Free Of. Firm statement and guarantee that an insurer is not liable for losses in
connection with risks specified. 2. Firm statement and guarantee that a specified substance
or article is not adulterated or contaminated with, or by, a specified factor.
Warrant Officer. Naval officer whose authority derived from a warrant issued either by or
on behalf of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland. Rank was junior to
commissioned officer, but senior to all subordinate officers. This rank is now obsolete in
Royal Navy.
Warrant Shipwright. Warrant officer of Royal Navy who was responsible for control of
ship's carpenters and other duties connected with the efficiency of ship's structure. Now
'Commissioned Shipwright'.
Warranty. Emphasised statement and undertaking that certain conditions exist or shall
exist; or that certain things have been done or shall be done. The warranty may be
specifically stated, or it may be implied by some act or statement.