a sea-port town of Dorsetshire in England. It is surrounded on all sides by the sea, except on the north, where there is an entrance through a gate. It was formerly nothing but a place where a few fishermen lived; but in the reign of Henry VI., it was greatly enlarged, and the inhabitants had the privilege to wall it round. It was also made a county of itself, and sent two members to parliament. It is governed by a mayor, a senior bailiff, four other justices, and an indeterminate number of burgesses. The town consists of a church and about 600 houses, with broad paved streets; and has a manufactory of knit hose. It is 47 miles west-south-west of Winchester, and 110 west-by-south of London. W. Long. 2. o. N. Lat. 50. 42.