the situation of a ship which is moored so strait by her cables, extending from the hawse to two distant anchors, as to be prevented from swinging or turning about according to any change of the wind or tide, to the current of which her head would otherwise be directed. The cables are extended in this manner, by a strong application of mechanical powers within the ship; so that when she veers, or endeavours to swing about, her side bears upon one of the cables, which catches on her heel, and interrupts her in the act of traversing. In this position she must ride with her broadside to the wind or current, till one or both of the cables are slackened.

ISCO, son of Himilco the Carthaginian general, was banished from Carthage by the influence of his enemies. Being afterwards recalled, he was made general in Sicily against the Corinthians, about 309 years before the Christian era, and by his success and intrepidity he obliged the enemies of his country to sue for peace. See Carthage.