BOARD, a long piece of timber, sawed thin for building and several other purposes. See TIMBER.
Deal-boards are generally imported into England ready sawed, because done cheaper abroad, in regard we want saw-mills. Cap-boards are imported from Sweden and Dantzic. Oak-boards chiefly from Sweden and Holland; some from Dantzic. We also import white boards for shoemakers; mill and scale-boards, &c. for divers artificers. Scale-board is a thinner sort, used for the covers of primers, thin boxes, and the like. It is made with large planes; but might probably be sawed with mills to advantage.
BOARD is also used for a kind of table or bench, whereon several artificers perform their work. In this sense, we say a work-board, shop-board, tailor's-board, &c.
BOARD is also used for a flat machine, or frame, used in certain games, and the like. In this sense, we say a draught-board, a chess-board, a shovel-board, and the like.
Board, Bureau, is also used for an office where accounts are taken, payments ordered, and the like. In this sense, we say the board of works, board of ordinance, board of treasury, and the like.