hovering act
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
Explore M-W
There's more!
Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.
Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:
- More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
- Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
- Advanced search features
- Ad free!
Origin and Etymology of hovering act
from gerund of 1hover
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up hovering act? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!