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 number of inhabitants in 1801 was estimated at 4761; and the number of vessels belonging to this port is stated at 230. It is 47 miles west-south-west of Winchester, and 110 west-by-south of London. W. Long. 2° O. N. Lat. 5° 42'.