press of sail
    n 1: the greatest amount of sail that a ship can carry safely
         [syn: press of sail, press of canvas]

Press \Press\, n. [F. presse. See 4th Press.]
   1. An apparatus or machine by which any substance or body is
      pressed, squeezed, stamped, or shaped, or by which an
      impression of a body is taken; sometimes, the place or
      building containing a press or presses.
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   Note: Presses are differently constructed for various
         purposes in the arts, their specific uses being
         commonly designated; as, a cotton press, a wine press,
         a cider press, a copying press, etc. See Drill press.
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   2. Specifically, a printing press.
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   3. The art or business of printing and publishing; hence,
      printed publications, taken collectively, more especially
      newspapers or the persons employed in writing for them;
      as, a free press is a blessing, a licentious press is a
      curse.
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   4. An upright case or closet for the safe keeping of
      articles; as, a clothes press. --Shak.
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   5. The act of pressing or thronging forward.
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            In their throng and press to that last hold. --Shak.
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   6. Urgent demands of business or affairs; urgency; as, a
      press of engagements.
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   7. A multitude of individuals crowded together; ? crowd of
      single things; a throng.
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            They could not come nigh unto him for the press.
                                                  --Mark ii. 4.
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   Cylinder press, a printing press in which the impression is
      produced by a revolving cylinder under which the form
      passes; also, one in which the form of type or plates is
      curved around a cylinder, instead of resting on a flat
      bed.

   Hydrostatic press. See under Hydrostatic.

   Liberty of the press, the free right of publishing books,
      pamphlets, or papers, without previous restraint or
      censorship, subject only to punishment for libelous,
      seditious, or morally pernicious matters.

   Press bed, a bed that may be folded, and inclosed, in a
      press or closet. --Boswell.

   Press of sail, (Naut.), as much sail as the state of the
      wind will permit.
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