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sail [ sail ]

[
US
seɪl ]
[
UK
seɪl ]
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icon Duno DictionaryTransport by water
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Noun

1. A piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship or other vessel.

the boat can no longer carry that area of sail

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2. The use of sailing ships as a means of transport.

He chooses to come to England by sail, not steamboat.

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3. A sailing ship.

sail ahoy!

4. A wind-catching apparatus attached to the arm of a windmill.

A tourist boat putters by in the canal; the sails of the huge windmill overhead cast long, cool shadows across the road.

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5. The broad fin on the back of a sailfish or of some prehistoric reptiles.

None developed the distinctive sail that distinguished many pelycosaur groups.

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6. A structure by which an animal is propelled across the surface of water by the wind, e.g. the float of a Portuguese man-of-war.

Traces of luminous iridescent blue on his back and sides, even on the sail feathers, highlight the otherwise golden image.

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7. A voyage or excursion in a ship, especially a sailing ship or boat.

they went for a sail

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8. The conning tower of a submarine.

The submarine Connecticut, a new Seawolf-class sub, had partly surfaced with its sail and rudder sticking through the ice on April 27.

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9. A canvas sheet or tarpaulin.

the sail covering the load of crates broke loose from the truck

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Verb

1. Travel in a boat with sails, especially as a sport or recreation.

What I have heard is comparing power boating to sailing.

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2. Travel in a ship or boat using sails or engine power.

the ferry caught fire sailing between Caen and Portsmouth

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3. Begin a voyage; leave a harbour.

the catamaran sails at 3:30

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4. Travel by ship on or across (a sea) or on (a route)

plastic ships could be sailing the oceans soon

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5. Navigate or control (a boat or ship)

The user may choose from a variety of ships, or may sail a custom-made vessel.

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6. Move smoothly and rapidly or in a stately or confident manner.

the ball sailed inside the right-hand post

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7. (sail through) Succeed easily at (something, especially a test or examination)

She admits she sailed through most of her schooling, taking exam success for granted.

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8. (sail into) Attack physically or verbally with force.

February 1968: With Kerry aboard, the Gridley sails into war to patrol the coast of Vietnam.

Origin

1. Old English segel (noun), seglian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeil and German Segel (nouns).

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