Dictionary
sail
Pronunciation: (sāl), [key]—
n.
1. an area of canvas or other fabric extended to the wind in such a way as to transmit the force of the wind to an assemblage of spars and rigging mounted firmly on a hull, raft, iceboat, etc., so as to drive it along.
2. some similar piece or apparatus, as the part of an arm that catches the wind on a windmill.
3. a voyage or excursion, esp. in a sailing vessel:
They went for a sail around the island.
4. a sailing vessel or ship.
5. sailing vessels collectively:
The fleet numbered 30 sail.
6. sails for a vessel or vessels collectively.
7. (
cap.)
Astron.the constellation Vela.
8. in sail, with the sails set.
9. make sail, Naut.
a. to set the sail or sails of a boat or increase the amount of sail already set.
b. to set out on a voyage:
Make sail for the Leeward Islands.
10. set sail, to start a sea voyage:
We set sail at midnight for Nantucket.
11. trim one's sails, Informal.to cut expenses; economize:
We're going to have to trim our sails if we stay in business.
12. under sail, with sails set; in motion; sailing:
It was good to be under sail in the brisk wind and under the warm sun.
—
v.i.
1. to move along or travel over water:
steamships sailing to Lisbon.
2. to manage a sailboat, esp. for sport.
3. to begin a journey by water:
We are sailing at dawn.
4. to move along in a manner suggestive of a sailing vessel:
caravans sailing along.
5. to move along in a stately, effortless way:
to sail into a room.
—
v.t.
1. to sail upon, over, or through:
to sail the seven seas.
2. to navigate (a vessel).
3. sail in or into, Informal.
a. to go vigorously into action; begin to act; attack.
b. to attack verbally:
He would sail into his staff when work was going badly. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
