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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

618 words match “SAIL”

Having all its sails set,; hence, without restriction or reservation. Massinger.

GAFF-TOPSAIL n.

A small triangular sail having its foot extended upon the gaff and its luff upon the topmast.

GRISAILLE n. 2 definitions

Decorative painting in gray monochrome; -- used in English especially for painted glass.

Any sail set forward of the foremast. Totten.

A square sail bent upon a yard that hangs obliquely to the mast and is raised or lowered with the sail. Totten.

The principal sail in a ship or other vessel. [They] hoised up the mainsail to the wind. Acts xxvii. 40.

A sail sometimes carried in light winds, above a skysail. R. H. Dana, Jr.

To excel, or to leave behind, in sailing; to sail faster than. Beau. & Fl.

To sail again; also, to sail back, as to a former port.

See Ringtail,2.

The sail set next above the royal. See Illust. under Sail.

SPRITSAIL n. 2 definitions

A sail extended by a sprit.

Any sail extended on a stay.

STUDDING SAIL n.

A light sail set at the side of a principal or square sail of a vessel in free winds, to increase her speed. Its head is bent to a small spar which is called the studding-sail boom. See Illust. of Sail. Toten.

A contraction of Studding sail. With every rag set, stunsails, sky scrapers and all. Lowell.

In a square-rigged vessel, the sail next above the lowermost sail on a mast. This sail is the one most frequently reefed or furled in working the ship. In a fore-and-aft rigged vessel, the sail set upon and above the gaff. See Cutter, Schooner, Sail, and Ship. Topsail schooner. (Naut.) See Schooner, and Illustration in…

A fore-and-aft sail, bent to a gaff, and hoisted on a lower mast or on a small mast, called the trysail mast, close abaft a lower mast; -- used chiefly as a storm sail. Called also spencer. Totten.

To sail alongshore. [Obs.]

Inadequately equipped with sails. [Obs.]

WASSAIL n. 6 definitions

hich such good wishes are expressed in drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. "In merry wassail he . . . peals his loud song." Sir W. Scott. The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse, Keeps wassail. Shak. The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and wassail. Prescott.