dav

n. one of a number of families into which Polypodiaceae has been subdivided in some classification systems; includes genera Araiostegia; Davallia; Davallodes; Gymnogrammitis; Humata; Leucostegia; Scyphularia; Trogostolon.
Syn. -- family Davalliaceae. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ From the name of the original maker. Encyc. Dict. ] A kind of small writing table, generally somewhat ornamental, and forming a piece of furniture for the parlor or boudoir. [ 1913 Webster ]

A much battered davenport in one of the windows, at which sat a lady writing. A. B. Edwards. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to David, the king and psalmist of Israel, or to his family. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a genus of Australasian shrubs and subshrubs having small yellow or purple flowers followed by short triangular pods.
Syn. -- genus Daviesia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Cf. F. davier forceps, davit, cooper's instrument, G. david davit; all probably from the proper name David. ] (Naut.) (a) A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship; -- called also the fish davit. (b) pl. Curved arms of timber or iron, projecting over a ship's side of stern, having tackle to raise or lower a boat, swing it in on deck, rig it out for lowering, etc.; -- called also boat davits. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

The spirit of the sea; sea devil; -- a term used by sailors. [ 1913 Webster ]

This same Davy Jones, according to the mythology of sailors, is the fiend that presides over all the evil spirits of the deep, and is seen in various shapes warning the devoted wretch of death and woe. Smollett. [ 1913 Webster ]

Davy Jones's Locker, the ocean, or bottom of the ocean. --
Gone to Davy Jones's Locker, dead, and buried in the sea; thrown overboard. [ 1913 Webster ]

See Safety lamp, under Lamp. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Davyum. ] (Min.) A variety of nephelite from Vesuvius. [ 1913 Webster ]