shift one's tides

English

Verb

shift one's tides (third-person singular simple present shifts one's tides, present participle shifting one's tides, simple past and past participle shifted one's tides)

  1. (dated, nautical) To record the variations of the tide and the positions of the sun and moon using a nautical almanac and sextant to determine the location and phase of the moon and to calculate the relative effect of the tides on the navigation of the ship.

Usage notes

The term appeared (as shift his tides, referring to the male sailor performing the operation) on the certificate of examination for prospective lieutenants in the Royal Navy.

References
  • “The Mariner's Mirror”, in (please provide the title of the work)‎, accessed 2009-04-28
  • “shift, v. 13.b.”, in OED Online‎, accessed 2009-04-29
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