a parliamentary and municipal borough and seaport-town of England, Dorsetshire, at the mouth of the Lyme, which here enters the English Channel, 22 miles W. of Dorchester. It is beautifully situated in a hollow between two hills, and consists of irregularly built streets. The places of chief interest are,—St Michael's church, re-built in the fifteenth century, in the later English and decorated styles; and the high-water pier, or "cobb," a semi-circular structure of great strength, affording safe accommodation for vessels. The trade of the town, though less important than formerly, is still carried on with activity.

In December 1855 there were registered here 22 vessels, of the aggregate burden of 1670 tons. There entered during the same year 182 vessels, of 8897 tons; and cleared 121 vessels, of 5017 tons. Of the former, 99 vessels, of 5953 tons, were in the coasting, and 77, of 2702 tons, in the colonial trade. The manufactures are unimportant; the inhabitants being chiefly employed in trading in agricultural produce, and in stone-cutting. The town was formerly a place of considerable importance. It contributed four ships to Edward III.'s navy at the siege of Calais. In the reigns of Henry IV. and V. it was plundered and destroyed by the French; while, in later times, it was successfully defended against Prince Maurice in 1644, for two months, by Colonel Ceeley and Blake, afterwards so famous as an admiral. The borough is governed by a mayor, four aldermen, and twelve councillors; and returns one member to parliament. Market-days, Tuesday and Friday. Pop. (1851), parliamentary borough, 3316; municipal borough, 2664.