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hovering act

noun

Definition of hovering act

: 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

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History and Etymology for hovering act

from gerund of hover entry 1

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