Chapter Amyclæan Brothers to Ancient Mariner of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

laying his vineyard waste, whereupon he set down his cup, went out against the boar, and was killed in the encounter.

Ancalites (4 syl.) Inhabitants of parts of Berkshire and Wiltshire, referred to by Cæsar in his Commentaries.

Anchor That was my sheet anchor - i.e. my best hope, my last refuge. The sheet anchor is the largest anchor of a ship, which, in stress of weather, is the sailor's chief dependence. The word sheet is a corruption of the word shote (thrown out), meaning the anchor "thrown out" in foul weather. The Greeks and Romans said, "my sacred anchor," because the sheet anchor was always dedicated to some god.

Anchor (The) in Christian art, is given to Clement of Rome and Nicolas of Bari. Pope Clement, in A.D. 80, was bound to an anchor and cast into the sea. Nicolas of Bari is the patron saint of sailors.

The anchor is apeak - that is, the cable of the anchor is so tight that the ship is drawn completely over it. (See Bower Anchor, Sheet Anchor.)

The Anchor comes home, the anchor has been dragged from its hold. Figuratively, the enterprise has failed, notwithstanding the precautions employed.

To weigh anchor, to haul in the anchor, that the ship may sail away from its mooring. Figuratively, to begin an enterprise which has hung on hand.

Anchor Watch (An) A watch of one or two men, while the vessel rides at anchor, in port.

Ancien Régime An antiquated system of government. This phrase, in the French Revolution, meant the monarchical form of government, or the system of government, with all its evils, which existed prior to that great change.

Ancient A corruption of ensign - a flag and the officer who bore it. Pistol was Falstaff's "ancient."

"Ten times more dishonourably ragged than an old-faced ancient." - Shakespeare: I Henry IV, iv. 21.

"My whole charge consists of ancients, corporals, lieutenants, gentlemen of companies..." - Shakespeare: I Henry IV, iv. 2.

Ancient Mariner Having shot an albatross, he and his companions were subjected to fearful penalties. On repentance he was forgiven, and on reaching land told his story to a hermit. At times, however, distress of mind drove him from land to land, and wherever he abode he told his tale of woe, to warn from cruelty and persuade men to love God's creatures. - Coleridge.