Definition of Sail

1. Noun. A large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel.


2. Verb. Traverse or travel on (a body of water). "They sail down the river "; "He sailed the Pacific all alone"
Generic synonyms: Journey, Travel
Derivative terms: Sailor, Sailor

3. Noun. An ocean trip taken for pleasure.
Exact synonyms: Cruise
Generic synonyms: Ocean Trip, Voyage
Derivative terms: Cruise

4. Verb. Move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions. "The searchlights swept across the sky"
Exact synonyms: Sweep
Generic synonyms: Move
Specialized synonyms: Swan
Related verbs: Brush, Sweep
Also: Sail Through, Sweep Through
Derivative terms: Sweep

5. Noun. Any structure that resembles a sail.
Generic synonyms: Construction, Structure

6. Verb. Travel on water propelled by wind. "The ship sails on"
Category relationships: Navigation, Pilotage, Piloting
Specialized synonyms: Run, Luff, Point, Weather, Beat, Rack, Scud, Outpoint, Tack, Wear Round, Wear Ship, Change Course, Gybe, Jib, Jibe
Generic synonyms: Boat
Derivative terms: Sailing

7. Verb. Travel on water propelled by wind or by other means. "The QE2 will sail to Southampton tomorrow"
Exact synonyms: Navigate, Voyage
Specialized synonyms: Astrogate, Cruise
Generic synonyms: Journey, Travel
Derivative terms: Navigable, Navigation, Voyage, Voyage, Voyager

Definition of Sail

1. n. An extent of canvas or other fabric by means of which the wind is made serviceable as a power for propelling vessels through the water.

2. v. i. 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 steam or other power.

3. v. t. 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.

Definition of Sail

1. Noun. (nautical) A piece of fabric attached to a boat and arranged such that it causes the wind to drive the boat along. The sail may be attached to the boat via a combination of mast, spars and ropes. ¹

2. Noun. The power harnessed by a sail or sails, or the use this power for travel or transport. ¹

3. Noun. A trip in a boat, especially a sailboat. ¹

4. Noun. The blade of a windmill. ¹

5. Noun. A tower-like structure found on the dorsal (topside) surface of submarines. ¹

6. Noun. The floating organ of siphonophores, such as the Portuguese man-of-war. ¹

7. Noun. (fishing) A sailfish. ¹

8. Verb. To ride in a boat, especially a sailboat. ¹

9. Verb. To move briskly and gracefully through the air. ¹

10. Verb. To move briskly. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sail

1. to move across the surface of water by the action of wind [v -ED, -ING, -S] : SAILABLE [adj]

Medical Definition of Sail

1. 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 steam or other power. 2. To move through or on the water; to swim, as a fish or a water fowl. 3. To be conveyed in a vessel on water; to pass by water; as, they sailed from London to Canton. 4. To set sail; to begin a voyage. 5. To move smoothly through the air; to glide through the air without apparent exertion, as a bird. "As is a winged messenger of heaven, . . . When he bestrides the lazy pacing clouds, And sails upon the bosom of the air." (Shak) Origin: AS. Segelian, seglian. See Sail. Origin: OE. Seil, AS. Segel, segl; akin to D. Zeil, OHG. Segal, G. & Sw. Segel, Icel. Segl, Dan. Seil. 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 water. "Behoves him now both sail and oar." (Milton) 2. Anything resembling a sail, or regarded as a sail. 3. A wing; a van. "Like an eagle soaring To weather his broad sails." (Spenser). 4. The extended surface of the arm of a windmill. 5. A sailing vessel; a vessel of any kind; a craft. In this sense, the plural has usually the same forms as the singular; as, twenty sail were in sight. 6. A passage by a sailing vessel; a journey or excursion upon the water. Sails are of two general kinds, fore-and-aft sails, and square sails. Square sails are always bent to yards, with their foot lying across the line of the vessel. Fore-and-aft sails are set upon stays or gaffs with their foot in line with the keel. A fore-and-aft sail is triangular, or quadrilateral with the after leech longer than the fore leech. Square sails are quardrilateral, but not necessarily square. See Phrases under Fore, and Square,; also, Bark, Brig, Schooner, Ship, Stay. Sail burton, to lower the sails suddenly, as in saluting, or in sudden gusts of wind; hence, to acknowledge inferiority; to abate pretension. Under sail, having the sails spread. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sail

saidest
saids
saids vaccines
saidst
saie
saif
saifs
saiga
saigas
saignée
saikei
saikeis
saikless
saikyr
saikyrs
sail (current term)
sail'd
sail-plan
sail close to the wind
sail curve
sail sound
sail through
sailable
sailaufite
sailboard
sailboarded
sailboarder
sailboarders
sailboarding
sailboardings

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