shift one's tides
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English[edit]
Verb[edit]
shift one's tides (third-person singular simple present shifts one's tides, present participle shifting one's tides, simple past and past participle shifted one's tides)
- (dated, nautical) To record the variations of the tide and the positions of the sun and moon using a nautical almanac and sextant to determine the location and phase of the moon and to calculate the relative effect of the tides on the navigation of the ship.
Usage notes[edit]
The term appeared (as shift his tides, referring to the male sailor performing the operation) on the certificate of examination for prospective lieutenants in the Royal Navy.