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]
|
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]
|