Part 182

GLAIZE, a kind of halbert, so called by the Saxons.

GLAS, Fr. knell.

GLIB act, a very ancient act of parliament which directed that the Irish nobility and gentry who were of English or Norman extraction, should forfeit the privileges of their original country, if they did not shave the upper lip. This act took place when Ireland was first conquered, and its object was to distinguish the descendants of the invaders; from the old Irish nobility that traced its origin to Milesius, who wore their hair and their beards very long; hence glib, means loose, flowing.

GLIPHE ou GLYPHE, Fr. signifies generally every species of canal, or hollow, which constitutes any part of ornamental architecture.

GLOBES ou ballons d’artifices, Fr. globes or balloons, which are filled with artificial fire. They are used to set fire to an enemy’s town or works, &c.

GLOBES de feu, Fr. a cartouch made of mashed paper, which is laid upon a wooden bowl and made perfectly round. It is afterward perforated in several places, and filled with the inflammable composition that is used in the making up of lances à feu. The instant it catches, a very bright and lively fire issues out of the several holes.

GLOBE. See GEOGRAPHY.

GLOIRE, Fr. an artificial fire-work, which resembles a large sun. It is made by means of an iron wheel containing four circles, each circle diminishing towards the centre, and kept at equal distances from one another. Forty eight jets de feu, or fire spouts, are tied to these circles; each jet is twenty French inches long, and there are twelve of them fixed to each of the four circles. The gloire or soleil is placed in the middle of the principal fire-work.

Military GLORY, honor, reputation and fame, acquired by military atchievements. That precarious splendor, which plays round the brows of a warrior, and has been collected by hard service, extraordinary genius, and unblemished integrity; but which may desert the greatest hero through one unfortunate failure.

GO. The verb to go is variously used in a military sense, as to march in a hostile, or warlike manner.

To GO off, implies to depart from any post.

To GO on, to make an attack.

To GO over, to revolt.

To GO out, to go upon any expedition, &c.

To GO out is likewise frequently used to signify the act of fighting a duel, as he went out with a brother officer, and was slightly wounded.

GOA, a strong town on the Malabar coast, belonging to the Portuguese. The chief trade is in arrack. This fort was taken by the English April 2d, 1756.

GOLADAR or GOLDAR, an East Indian term, signifying a store-keeper, or store-house-keeper.

GOLANDAAZEE, the Indian term for an artillery man.

GOLCONDA, a province in India, formerly comprehending the nabobships of Arcot, Canoul, Cudapa, Rajamandry, and Chicacole.

GOLCONDA, formerly a city and the capital of the province. It stood at the foot of the rock and fortress of the same name; but the city has long since been deserted; and its inhabitants removed to Hyderabad: nevertheless its name is still frequently used in Indostan, when in reality the city of Hyderabad is meant.

GOLDEN Rock, a spot near Tritchinopoly in East India, which has been renowned by the victory that was gained by the British troops over the French and their allies in 1753.

GONDECAMA, Gondegama, a river in India, which makes the northern boundary of the province of Arcot; Condavir extends between this and the river Kristna.

GONDOLA, Gondole, Fr. this word may be taken in two senses, viz. to signify a cup; or a small barge which is flat and long in its construction, and is only moved, or worked by oars. Gondolas are much used upon the canals in Venice; they are extremely remarkable for their shape, and the great swiftness with which they glide through the water. The middle sized ones are about thirty feet long, and are only four feet broad across the middle, gradually tapering towards each end, and rising in two sharp and narrow points to the ordinary height of a man. Upon the prow is fixed an iron of uncommon length, which does not exceed half a finger’s breadth in thickness; but which is four fingers broad, and is so disposed as to cut the air. The upper part of this iron which is flatter than the rest, stretches out in the shape of a large hatchet a full foot in length: so that when the gondola is on her way, it seems to menace every thing before it, and to force its passage.

GONDOLIERS, Gondoliers, Fr. the men who have the management of the gondolas at Venice, are so called. The equipment of a gondola seldom exceeds two persons, even on board of those barges that belong to the foreign ambassadors.

It sometimes happens that there are four, when persons of distinction go to their country houses. The gondoliers never sit down but row the barge standing upright and push forward. One man always plies in the fore part of the gondola, and the other is at the poop.

GONFALON, GONFANON, an ensign or standard.

GONG, the Persian word for a village.

GONG WALLAS, villagers, the militia in India so called; from gong, a village, and wallas, a man.