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O . The fourth class of rating on Lloyd's books for the comparative excellence of merchant ships. But insured vessels are rarely so low. (_See_ A.) O! OR HO! An interjection commanding attention or possibly the cessation of any action.
OAK . _Quercus_, the valuable monarch of the woods. 'Hearts of oak are our ships,' as the old song says.
OAKUM [from the Anglo-Saxon _æcumbe_] . The state into which old ropes are reduced when they are untwisted and picked to pieces. It is principally used in caulking the seams, for stopping leaks, and for making into twice-laid ropes. Very well known in workhouses.--_White Oakum._ That which is formed from untarred ropes.
OAKUM-BOY . The caulker's apprentice, who attends to bring oakum, pitch, &c.
OAR . A slender piece of timber used as a lever to propel a boat through the water. The blade is dipped into the water, while the other end within board, termed the loom, is small enough to be grasped by the rower. The _silver oar_ is a badge of office, similar to the staff of a peace-officer, which on presentation, enables a person intrusted with a warrant to serve it on board any ship he may set foot upon.--_To boat the oars_, is to cease rowing and lay the oars in the boat.--_Get your oars to pass!_ The order to prepare them for rowing, or shipping them.
OAR, TO SHOVE IN AN . To intermeddle, or give an opinion unasked.
OAR-PROPULSION . The earliest motive power for vessels; it may be by the broadside in rowlocks abeam, by sweeps on the quarters fore and aft, or by sculling with one oar in the notch of the transom amidships. (_See_ STERN-OAR.)
OARS! . The order to cease rowing, by lifting the oars from the water, and poising them on their looms horizontally in their rowlocks.--_Look to your oars!_ Passing any object or among sea-weed.--_Double-banked oars_ (which see).
OASIS . A fertile spot in the midst of a sandy desert.
OATH . A solemn affirmation or denial of anything, before a person authorized to administer the same, for discovery of truth and right. (_See_ CORPORAL OATH.) Hesiod ascribes the invention of oaths to discord. The oath of supremacy and of the Protestant faith was formerly taken by an officer before he could hold a commission in the royal navy.
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