to point the yards

Point \Point\ (point), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pointed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Pointing}.] [Cf. F. pointer. See {Point}, n.]
   1. To give a point to; to sharpen; to cut, forge, grind, or
      file to an acute end; as, to point a dart, or a pencil.
      Used also figuratively; as, to point a moral.
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   2. To direct toward an abject; to aim; as, to point a gun at
      a wolf, or a cannon at a fort.
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   3. Hence, to direct the attention or notice of.
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            Whosoever should be guided through his battles by
            Minerva, and pointed to every scene of them. --Pope.
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   4. To supply with punctuation marks; to punctuate; as, to
      point a composition.
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   5. To mark (a text, as in Arabic or Hebrew) with {vowel
      points}; -- also called {vocalize}.

   Syn: vocalize. [1913 Webster + RP]

   6. To give particular prominence to; to designate in a
      special manner; to indicate, as if by pointing; as, the
      error was pointed out. --Pope.
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            He points it, however, by no deviation from his
            straightforward manner of speech.     --Dickens.
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   7. To indicate or discover by a fixed look, as game.
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   8. (Masonry) To fill up and finish the joints of (a wall), by
      introducing additional cement or mortar, and bringing it
      to a smooth surface.
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   9. (Stone Cutting) To cut, as a surface, with a pointed tool.
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   {To point a rope} (Naut.), to taper and neatly finish off the
      end by interweaving the nettles.

   {To point a sail} (Naut.), to affix points through the eyelet
      holes of the reefs.

   {To point off}, to divide into periods or groups, or to
      separate, by pointing, as figures.

   {To point the yards} (of a vessel) (Naut.), to brace them so
      that the wind shall strike the sails obliquely. --Totten.
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