To shorten sail

To shorten sail
Shorten Short"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shortened ?}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shortening}.] [See {Short}, a.] 1. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity. [1913 Webster]

2. To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen; to abridge; to curtail; to contract; as, to shorten work, an allowance of food, etc. [1913 Webster]

Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of. [1913 Webster]

Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like. [1913 Webster]

{To shorten a rope} (Naut.), to take in the slack of it.

{To shorten sail} (Naut.), to reduce sail by taking it in. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • shorten sail — phrasal : to reduce the extent of sail (as by reefing or furling) * * * shorten sail To reduce its extent • • • Main Entry: ↑sail …   Useful english dictionary

  • To shorten sail — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shorten sail — partially take in the sails, partially lower sails …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Shorten — Short en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shortened ?}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shortening}.] [See {Short}, a.] 1. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity. [1913 Webster] 2. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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 burton — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sail fluke — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sail hook — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sail loft — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Sail room — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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