shorten sail Definition

sail
noun

1. A sheet of canvas, or similar structure, spread to catch the wind as a means of propelling a ship.
2. A framework of slats which drive a windmill by catching the wind.
3. Sails collectively.
4. A trip in a boat or ship with or without sails.
5. A voyage of a specified distance travelled by boat or ship.
sail
6. naut.
A ship with sails.
Example: thirty sail

verb sailed, sailing

tr & intr
1. To travel by boat or ship.

Example: sail the Pacific
Thesaurus: cruise, voyage, travel, navigate, pilot, captain.
2. To control (a boat or ship).

Example: He sailed his ship around the world
intr
3. To depart by boat or ship.

Example: We sail at two-thirty
Thesaurus: leave, embark, set sail, get under way, weigh anchor, put to sea.
4. To cause (a toy boat, etc) to sail.

Derivative: sailable
adj

Navigable.

Derivative: sailed
adj

Having sails.

Derivative: sailless
adj

Idiom: full sail

With all sails raised and filled with the wind.

Idiom: make sail

To raise more sail.

To set off on a voyage.

Idiom: put on sail

To set more sails in order to travel more quickly.

Idiom: sail close to the wind (sail near the wind)

To keep the boat's bow as close as possible to the direction from which the wind is blowing so that the sails catch as much wind as is safely possible.

To come dangerously close to overstepping a limit, eg of good taste or decency.

Idiom: set sail

To begin a journey by boat or ship.

To spread the sails.

Idiom: shorten sail

To reduce its open extent.

Idiom: strike sail

To lower a sail or sails.

Idiom: under sail

Having the sails raised and spread.

Propelled by sails.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon segel.

Phrasal Verb: sail through something

To succeed in it effortlessly.
Example: She sailed through all her exams