'To man the yards' definitions:
Definition of 'To man the yards'
From: GCIDE
- Man \Man\ (m[a^]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Manned (m[a^]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Manning.]
- 1. To supply with men; to furnish with a sufficient force or complement of men, as for management, service, defense, or the like; to guard; as, to man a ship, boat, or fort. [1913 Webster]
- See how the surly Warwick mans the wall ! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- They man their boats, and all their young men arm. --Waller. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To furnish with strength for action; to prepare for efficiency; to fortify. "Theodosius having manned his soul with proper reflections." --Addison. [1913 Webster]
- 3. To tame, as a hawk. [R.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 4. To furnish with a servant or servants. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 5. To wait on as a manservant. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- Note: In "Othello," V. ii. 270, the meaning is uncertain, being, perhaps: To point, to aim, or to manage. [1913 Webster]
- To man a yard (Naut.), to send men upon a yard, as for furling or reefing a sail.
- To man the yards (Naut.), to station men on the yards as a salute or mark of respect. [1913 Webster]