A sheet in the wind

A sheet in the wind
Sheet Sheet, n. [OE. shete, schete, AS. sc[=e]te, sc[=y]te, fr. sce['a]t a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment); originally, that which shoots out, from the root of AS. sce['o]tan to shoot. [root]159. See {Shoot}, v. t.] In general, a large, broad piece of anything thin, as paper, cloth, etc.; a broad, thin portion of any substance; an expanded superficies. Specifically: (a) A broad piece of cloth, usually linen or cotton, used for wrapping the body or for a covering; especially, one used as an article of bedding next to the body. [1913 Webster]

He fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners. --Acts x. 10, 11. [1913 Webster]

If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me In one of those same sheets. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded, whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a letter; a newspaper, etc. (c) A single signature of a book or a pamphlet; in pl., the book itself. [1913 Webster]

To this the following sheets are intended for a full and distinct answer. --Waterland. [1913 Webster] (d) A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like; a plate; a leaf. (e) A broad expanse of water, or the like. ``The two beautiful sheets of water.'' --Macaulay. (f) A sail. --Dryden. (g) (Geol.) An extensive bed of an eruptive rock intruded between, or overlying, other strata. [1913 Webster]

2. [AS. sce['a]ta. See the Etymology above.] (Naut.) (a) A rope or chain which regulates the angle of adjustment of a sail in relation in relation to the wind; -- usually attached to the lower corner of a sail, or to a yard or a boom. (b) pl. The space in the forward or the after part of a boat where there are no rowers; as, fore sheets; stern sheets. [1913 Webster]

Note: Sheet is often used adjectively, or in combination, to denote that the substance to the name of which it is prefixed is in the form of sheets, or thin plates or leaves; as, sheet brass, or sheet-brass; sheet glass, or sheet-glass; sheet gold, or sheet-gold; sheet iron, or sheet-iron, etc. [1913 Webster]

{A sheet in the wind}, half drunk. [Sailors' Slang]

{Both sheets in the wind}, very drunk. [Sailors' Slang]

{In sheets}, lying flat or expanded; not folded, or folded but not bound; -- said especially of printed sheets.

{Sheet bend} (Naut.), a bend or hitch used for temporarily fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an eye.

{Sheet lightning}, {Sheet piling}, etc. See under {Lightning}, {Piling}, etc. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • sheet in the wind — phrasal or sheet to the wind : a disordered state caused by drinking : intoxication used with have or be and often qualified quantitatively he was three sheets in the wind by then already had a sheet in the wind …   Useful english dictionary

  • sheet to the wind — phrasal see sheet in the wind …   Useful english dictionary

  • (a) sheet in the wind —    mildly drunk    A sheet is a rope tying a sail to a spar, not the sail itself as landlubbers sometimes assume. If one or more breaks loose, the vessel is in some disarray:     A thought tipsy a sheet in the wind. (A. Trollope, 1885)    A… …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • be a sheet in the wind's eye — To be intoxicated • • • Main Entry: ↑eye …   Useful english dictionary

  • Both sheets in the wind — Sheet Sheet, n. [OE. shete, schete, AS. sc[=e]te, sc[=y]te, fr. sce[ a]t a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment);… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • four sheets in the wind —    see sheet in the wind …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • three sheets in the wind —    see sheet in the wind …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • to the wind — (informal) Half drunk (or drunk) ● sheet * * * to the wind (s) (or the four winds) in all directions my little flock scatters to the four winds ■ so as to be abandoned or neglected I threw my friends advice to the winds Origin …   Useful english dictionary

  • three sheets to the wind — old fashioned + humorous : very drunk When he staggered out of the bar, he was three sheets to the wind. • • • Main Entry: ↑sheet three sheets to the wind see ↑sheet, 2 • • • Main Entry: ↑three three sheets to the wind …   Useful english dictionary

  • three sheets to the wind — ► two (or three) sheets to the wind informal drunk. Main Entry: ↑sheet …   English terms dictionary

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