'Shoulder-of-mutton sail' definitions:

Definition of 'Shoulder-of-mutton sail'

From: GCIDE
  • Sail \Sail\, n. [OE. seil, AS. segel, segl; akin to D. zeil, OHG. segal, G. & Sw. segel, Icel. segl, Dan. seil. [root] 153.]
  • 1. An extent of canvas or other fabric by means of which the wind is made serviceable as a power for propelling vessels through the water. [1913 Webster]
  • Behoves him now both sail and oar. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Anything resembling a sail, or regarded as a sail. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A wing; a van. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]
  • Like an eagle soaring To weather his broad sails. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The extended surface of the arm of a windmill. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. A sailing vessel; a vessel of any kind; a craft. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: In this sense, the plural has usually the same form as the singular; as, twenty sail were in sight. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. A passage by a sailing vessel; a journey or excursion upon the water. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Sails are of two general kinds, fore-and-aft sails, and square sails. Square sails are always bent to yards, with their foot lying across the line of the vessel. Fore-and-aft sails are set upon stays or gaffs with their foot in line with the keel. A fore-and-aft sail is triangular, or quadrilateral with the after leech longer than the fore leech. Square sails are quadrilateral, but not necessarily square. See Phrases under Fore, a., and Square, a.; also, Bark, Brig, Schooner, Ship, Stay. [1913 Webster]
  • Sail burton (Naut.), a purchase for hoisting sails aloft for bending.
  • Sail fluke (Zool.), the whiff.
  • Sail hook, a small hook used in making sails, to hold the seams square.
  • Sail loft, a loft or room where sails are cut out and made.
  • Sail room (Naut.), a room in a vessel where sails are stowed when not in use.
  • Sail yard (Naut.), the yard or spar on which a sail is extended.
  • Shoulder-of-mutton sail (Naut.), a triangular sail of peculiar form. It is chiefly used to set on a boat's mast.
  • To crowd sail. (Naut.) See under Crowd.
  • To loose sails (Naut.), to unfurl or spread sails.
  • To make sail (Naut.), to extend an additional quantity of sail.
  • To set a sail (Naut.), to extend or spread a sail to the wind.
  • To set sail (Naut.), to unfurl or spread the sails; hence, to begin a voyage.
  • To shorten sail (Naut.), to reduce the extent of sail, or take in a part.
  • To strike sail (Naut.), to lower the sails suddenly, as in saluting, or in sudden gusts of wind; hence, to acknowledge inferiority; to abate pretension.
  • Under sail, having the sails spread. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Shoulder-of-mutton sail'

From: GCIDE
  • Shoulder \Shoul"der\, n. [OE. shulder, shuldre, schutder, AS. sculdor; akin to D. schoulder, G. schulter, OHG. scultarra, Dan. skulder, Sw. skuldra.]
  • 1. (Anat.) The joint, or the region of the joint, by which the fore limb is connected with the body or with the shoulder girdle; the projection formed by the bones and muscles about that joint. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The flesh and muscles connected with the shoulder joint; the upper part of the back; that part of the human frame on which it is most easy to carry a heavy burden; -- often used in the plural. [1913 Webster]
  • Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore The gates of Azza. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Adown her shoulders fell her length of hair. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Fig.: That which supports or sustains; support. [1913 Webster]
  • In thy shoulder do I build my seat. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. That which resembles a human shoulder, as any protuberance or projection from the body of a thing. [1913 Webster]
  • The north western shoulder of the mountain. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. The upper joint of the fore leg and adjacent parts of an animal, dressed for market; as, a shoulder of mutton. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. (Fort.) The angle of a bastion included between the face and flank. See Illust. of Bastion. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. An abrupt projection which forms an abutment on an object, or limits motion, etc., as the projection around a tenon at the end of a piece of timber, the part of the top of a type which projects beyond the base of the raised character, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • Shoulder belt, a belt that passes across the shoulder.
  • Shoulder blade (Anat.), the flat bone of the shoulder, to which the humerus is articulated; the scapula.
  • Shoulder block (Naut.), a block with a projection, or shoulder, near the upper end, so that it can rest against a spar without jamming the rope.
  • Shoulder clapper, one who claps another on the shoulder, or who uses great familiarity. [Obs.] --Shak.
  • Shoulder girdle. (Anat.) See Pectoral girdle, under Pectoral.
  • Shoulder knot, an ornamental knot of ribbon or lace worn on the shoulder; a kind of epaulet or braided ornament worn as part of a military uniform.
  • Shoulder-of-mutton sail (Naut.), a triangular sail carried on a boat's mast; -- so called from its shape.
  • Shoulder slip, dislocation of the shoulder, or of the humerous. --Swift.
  • Shoulder strap, a strap worn on or over the shoulder. Specifically (Mil. & Naval), a narrow strap worn on the shoulder of a commissioned officer, indicating, by a suitable device, the rank he holds in the service. See Illust. in App. [1913 Webster]