| davit | A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship; called also the fish davit. Curved arms of timber or iron, projecting over a ship's side of stern, having tackle to raise or lower a boat, swing it in on deck, rig it out for lowering, etc.; called also boat davits. Origin: Cf. F. Davier forceps, davit, cooper's instrument, G. David davit; all probably from the proper name David. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| davy jones | The spirit of the sea; sea devil; a term used by sailors. "This same Davy Jones, according to the mythology of sailors, is the fiend that presides over all the evil spirits of the deep, and is seen in various shapes warning the devoted wretch of death and woe." (Smollett) Davy Jones's Locker, the ocean, or bottom of the ocean. Gone to Davy Jones's Locker, dead, and buried in the sea; thrown overboard. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| davyne | <chemical> A variety of nephelite from Vesuvius. See: Davyum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| davyum | <chemistry, element> A rare metallic element found in platinum ore. It is a white malleable substance. Atomic weight: 154 Abbreviation: Da Origin: Named after Sir Humphry Davy, the English chemist. (30 Mar 1998) |