Port

(port.) [From L. port us.] A haven, cove, inlet, or rece of the sea; in short, any commodious place situated on the sea-coast, or at the mouth of a river, screened from the wind, with depth of water sufficient for ships of burden, and where ve els may safely unload their cargoes. The word port is generally applied to spacious harbors much resorted to by ships, as the ports of New York and Liverpool; and they may be either natural or greatly improved by art.-(Naut.) An embrasure or opening in the side of a ship of war or other ve el, through which the guns are run out; also, the lid or shutter which closes such openings:the term is also indifferently rendered as porthole.-On shipboard, the left or larboard side, as opposed to starboard; hence, an order to port the helm, signifies to put it to the left side.-(Mach.) An avenue to permit the pa age of steam to engine-valves.-(Com.) [From Oporto, a city of Portugal.] Adark-purple colored, rich, astringent, full-bodied wine, grown in Portugal, and principally consumed in England.-(Mil.) To port arms, is to hold a musket, ., in such a position sloping upward acro the front of the body, that its stock faces the holder's right hip, and the barrel his left shoulder. [s. 723]