Navy terminology – A

Definition:

An Anglo-Saxon word for "in" or "on." See aboard.

Definitions:

1. A colloquial term thought to mean "able-bodied seaman."
2. A fully qualified seaman (in a warship or merchant vessel).
3. The rank of a naval non-commissioned member next below that of leading seaman, and above that of ordinary seaman.
4. Abbreviation for the naval rank able seaman. A competent sailor. Traditionally, someone who is able to do all the work required of a sailor (e.g. "hand, reef and steer").
5. Canadian Forces rank equivalent to that of of a QL4 level private in the Army or the Air Force.
6. One who performs all the regular and emergency duties required by a member of a ship's deck department.

Origin:

Derived from the Old French word hable and from the Latin word habilis, meaning "easily handled" or "apt." In English the "h" has been dropped. The expression "able-bodied" is said to first appear in 1622.

Usage:

When "able seaman" precedes a family name, the initial letters of its 2 constituent words are capitalized (e.g. "Able Seaman Smith"). However, when the term is used in a general way, no capitalization of the initial letters are required (e.g. "Ten able seamen will be required to carry out this task."). When the abbreviation "AB" is used, the 2 capitals of the abbreviation are always retained whether they precede a family name (e.g. "AB Smith") or are used in a general way ("four ABs attended the meeting").

French:

• mat2 (matelot de 2e classe)

For more information:

• The badge worn by RCN Able Seamen

Definitions:

1. The situation of the sails when their surfaces are slated against the masts by the force of the wind. The sails are said to be taken aback, when they are brought into this situation, either by a sudden change of the wind, or by an alteration in the ship's course. They are laid aback, to effect an immediate retreat, without turning to the right or left. The sails may also be laid aback to give the ship stern-way, in order to avoid some danger discovered before her in a narrow channel.
2. A deliberate movement used in close-quarters battles between sailing warships that aimed at reducing the wind in the opponent's sails by getting in between the opponent and the wind.
3. The situation where wind presses against the sails of a ship with enough force to prevent a ship from moving forward through the water.

Origin:

Dervied from the Old English word bæc meaning "at or on the back." Now surviving mainly in taken aback, originally a nautical expression for a sudden change of wind that flattens the square sails back against the masts and stops the forward motion of a ship

Usage:

• This is not a Navy-specific term, rather a nautical term.
• Other Usage: to be taken aback, in the modern sense, is to be surprised by a situation.

French:

• à contre
• coiffé

Definitions:

1. A position towards the stern of a vessel when used in relation to another position (e.g. abaft the beam would be interpreted as any position between the beam and the stern).
2. A point beyond the midpoint of a ships length, towards the rear or stern.
3. At the rear of, with reference to a ship or any part of it. Opposite to forward of.
4. The hinder part of a ship, or all those parts both within and without, which lie towards the stern, in opposition to afore.

Origin:

Derived from the Old English word bæftan meaning "backwards." The second component itself is a compound of be meaning "by" and æftan meaning "aft" (see aft). Between 1100 and 1500 A.D. the term came to be used exclusively of ships with the stern being the "after" part of a vessel.

Usage:

This is not a Navy-specific term, rather a nautical term.

French:

• sur l'arrière de