'Under sail' definitions:

Definition of 'Under 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 'Under sail'

From: GCIDE
  • Under \Un"der\ ([u^]n"d[~e]r), prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. Inferior.]
  • 1. Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; -- opposed to over; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the whole house. [1913 Webster]
  • Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells under water, will keep long. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows; [1913 Webster] (a) Denoting relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law; the condition under which one enters upon an office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
  • Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin. --Rom. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]
  • That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short. [1913 Webster]
  • Three sons he dying left under age. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
  • There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
  • It was too great an honor for any man under a duke. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than; as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars. [1913 Webster]
  • Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits. --Swift. [1913 Webster] (c) Denoting relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed him under the guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep. [1913 Webster]
  • A crew who, under names of old renown . . . abused Fanatic Egypt. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine. --Felton. [1913 Webster]
  • Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. --C. Leslie. [1913 Webster] (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion. [1913 Webster]
  • Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Under arms. (Mil.) (a) Drawn up fully armed and equipped. (b) Enrolled for military service; as, the state has a million men under arms.
  • Under canvas. (a) (Naut.) Moved or propelled by sails; -- said of any vessel with her sail set, but especially of a steamer using her sails only, as distinguished from one under steam. Under steam and canvas signifies that a vessel is using both means of propulsion. (b) (Mil.) Provided with, or sheltered in, tents.
  • Under fire, exposed to an enemy's fire; taking part in a battle or general engagement.
  • Under foot. See under Foot, n.
  • Under ground, below the surface of the ground.
  • Under one's signature, with one's signature or name subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf. the second Note under Over, prep.
  • Under sail. (Naut.) (a) With anchor up, and under the influence of sails; moved by sails; in motion. (b) With sails set, though the anchor is down. (c) Same as Under canvas (a), above. --Totten.
  • Under sentence, having had one's sentence pronounced.
  • Under the breath, Under one's breath, with low voice; very softly.
  • Under the lee (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of the land.
  • Under the gun. Under psychological pressure, such as the need to meet a pressing deadline; feeling pressured
  • Under water, below the surface of the water.
  • Under way, or Under weigh (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; having started. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Under sail'