sail

sail
I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English segl; akin to Old High German segal sail Date: before 12th century 1. a. (1) an extent of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a ship through water (2) the sails of a ship b. plural usually sail a ship equipped with sails 2. an extent of fabric used in propelling a wind-driven vehicle (as an iceboat) 3. something that resembles a sail; especially a streamlined conning tower on a submarine 4. a passage by a sailing craft ; cruisesailed adjective II. verb Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. a. to travel on water in a ship b. yacht 2. a. to travel on water by the action of wind upon sails or by other means b. to move or proceed easily, gracefully, nonchalantly, or without resistance <
sails through all sorts of contradictions — Vicki Hearne
>
<
the bill sailed through the legislature
>
c. to move through the air <
the ball sailed over his head
>
3. to begin a water voyage <
sail with the tide
>
transitive verb 1. a. to travel on (water) by means of motive power (as sail) b. to glide through 2. to direct or manage the motion of (as a ship) • sailable adjective

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sail — Sail, n. [OE. seil, AS. segel, segl; akin to D. zeil, OHG. segal, G. & Sw. segel, Icel. segl, Dan. seil. [root] 153.] 1. An extent of canvas or other fabric by means of which the wind is made serviceable as a power for propelling vessels through… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sail — [sāl] n. [ME seil, sail < OE segl, akin to Ger segel, prob. ult. < IE base * sek , to cut > L secare, to cut, segmentum, segment] 1. any of the shaped sheets of canvas or other strong material spread to catch or deflect the wind, by… …   English World dictionary

  • sail — ► NOUN 1) a piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship. 2) a wind catching apparatus attached to the arm of a windmill. 3) a voyage or excursion in a sailing boat or ship. ► VERB 1) travel in a sailing boat… …   English terms dictionary

  • Sail 8 — was an attempt at sailing protesters from Cherbourg in Northern France to Edinburgh in Scotland, as part of the 2005 Make Poverty History campaign. Taking place on 3 July 2005, the day after Live 8, the event was intended to be another aspect of… …   Wikipedia

  • Sail — Sail, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sailed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sailing}.] [AS. segelian, seglian. See {Sail}, n.] 1. To be impelled or driven forward by the action of wind upon sails, as a ship on water; to be impelled on a body of water by the action of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sail — Sail, v. t. 1. To pass or move upon, as in a ship, by means of sails; hence, to move or journey upon (the water) by means of steam or other force. [1913 Webster] A thousand ships were manned to sail the sea. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. To fly… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sail — [v] travel through water, air; glide boat, captain, cast anchor, cast off, cross, cruise, dart, drift, embark, flit, float, fly, get under way*, leave, make headway, motor, move, navigate, pilot, put to sea*, reach, run, scud, set sail, shoot,… …   New thesaurus

  • sail — |a í| s. m. Óleo de peixe.   ‣ Etimologia: alteração de saim …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

  • sail — vb float, skim, scud, shoot, dart, *fly …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • sail — sail, to put to sea; to begin a voyage To get ship under way in complete readiness for voyage, with purpose of proceeding without further delay …   Black's law dictionary

  • sail|er — «SAY luhr», noun. 1. a ship with reference to its sailing power: »the best sailer in the fleet, a fast sailer. 2. a sailing vessel …   Useful english dictionary

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