a measure of length used in Britain and Spain, consisting of three feet, chiefly to measure cloth, tufts, &c.

in anatomy. See ANATOMY. p. 270.

YARDS of a ship. are those long pieces of timber which are made a little tapering at each end, and are fitted athwart its proper mast, with the sails made fast to them, so as to be hoisted up, or lowered down, as occasion serves. They have their names from the masts unto which they belong.

YARD-ARM is that half of the yard that is on either side of the mast, when it lies athwart the ship.

YARDS also denote places belonging to the navy, where the ships of war, &c. are laid up in harbour. There are, belonging to his majesty's navy, six great yards, viz. Chatham, Deptford, Woolwich, Portsmouth, Sheerness, and Plymouth: these yards are fitted with several docks, wharfs, lanches, and graving places for the building, repairing, and cleaning of his majesty's ships; and therein are lodged great quantities of timber, masts, planks, anchors, and other materials: there are also convenient store-houses in each yard, in which are laid up vast quantities of cables, rigging, sails, blocks, and all other sorts of stores needful for the royal navy.