hovering act

noun

: an act prohibiting or regulating the roving or hovering of domestic or foreign ships within certain limits
especially : an act providing for the boarding of foreign ships and inspection of cargo manifests outside the three-mile limit (as within four leagues of the coast) in order to enforce revenue or security laws especially for protection of the commerce of a coastal nation

Word History

Etymology

from gerund of hover entry 1

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Dictionary Entries Near hovering act

Cite this Entry

“Hovering act.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hovering%20act. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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