To work double tides
| the interval between the occurrences of two consecutive maxima of the resultant wave at the same place. Its length varies as the components of sun and moon waves approach to, or recede from, one another. A retardation from this cause is called the lagging of the tide, while the acceleration of the recurrence of high water is termed the priming of the tide. See Lag of the tide, under 2d Lag. | |
| (Naut.) | to perform the labor of three days in two; - a phrase which alludes to a practice of working by the night tide as well as by the day. |
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.