ˈweatherbitt, -bit, n. Naut.
[See bitt.]
An extra turn of the cable about the bitts in bad weather. Also v. trans., to give this extra turn to (the cable).
| 1769 Falconer Dict. Marine (1780), Weather-bit, a turn of the cable of a ship about the end of the windlass, without the knight-heads. It is used to check the cable, in order to slacken it gradually out of the ship, in tempestuous weather, or when the ship rides in a strong current. 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast xxiv, Weather-bit your chain and loose the topsails! 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Weather-bitt, is that which holds the weather-cable when the ship is moored. 1883 Man. Seamanship for Boys 191 To weather bitt a cable is to take another turn round the bitt end. 1900 Century Mag. Feb. 600/2, I now moor ship, weather⁓bitt cables, and leave the sloop Spray..safe in port. |