[f. STILL a. + WATER sb.]

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  1.  = SLACK-WATER 1.

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1626.  Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Seamen, 17. It flows quarter floud, high water, or a still water.

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1791.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 3. The change of direction or time of Still Water.

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1808.  Forsyth, Beauties Scot., V. 33. According as it is new made, half run, or approaching to still water.

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  2.  (See quots.)

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1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Still Water … is also used for water under the lee of headlands, or where there is neither tide nor current.

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1896.  Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, II. ii. 210. Stillwater…. A smooth place in a stream which is usually rough.

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  3.  attrib.

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1758.  Descr. Thames, 187. The Tench is a Still-water Fish, and delights in Ponds more than Rivers.

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1834.  Oxf. Univ. Mag., I. 307. Artificial canals or rather still-water navigation.

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1889.  Welch, Text Bk. Naval Archit., iii. 60. If a ship happens to fall in with waves having a period twice that of her own natural or still-water period, she will infallibly capsize after the passage of a few waves.

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