An Universal Dictionary of the Marine Or, a Copious Explanation of the Technical Terms and Phrases Employed in the Construction, Equipment, Furniture, Machinery, Movements, and Military Operations of a Ship. Illustrated With Variety of Original Designs of Shipping, in Different Situations; Together With Separate Views of Their Masts, Sails, Yards, and Rigging. to Which Is Annexed, a Translation of the French Sea-terms and Phrases, Collected from the Works of Mess. Du Hamel, Aubin, Saverien, &c.

"An Universal Dictionary of the Marine" by William Falconer is a detailed guidebook from the 1700's about ships and sailing. The book is like a super helpful cheat sheet, explaining all the tricky words and sayings people used when building, fixing, steering, and even fighting with ships back then. The author wanted to make things clearer than other books did, giving definitions, showing pictures, and even explaining where the words came from. The goal was to stop people from getting confused when talking about anything from how a ship was made to how it sailed or fought, making sure everyone was on the same page during an important time for sailors.