Definition of: sail

(sāl) noun
1. Naut. A piece of canvas, etc., attached to the mast of a vessel, to secure its propulsion by the wind: variously shaped and rigged: fore–and–aft or square sails.
2. Sails collectively: full sail.
3. A sailing vessel or craft: plural same as singular: 30 sail in sight.
4. A trip or passage in a sailing vessel, or in any watercraft.
5. Anything resembling a sail in form or use, as the broad part of the arm of a windmill or a bird's wing.
6. A structure rising from the deck of a submarine that houses detection gear.
—to make sail
1. To unfurl a sail or sails.
2. To set out on a voyage.
—to set sail To begin a voyage; get under way.
—under sail Sailing; with sails spread and driven by the wind.
—v.i.
1. To move across the surface of water by the action of wind or, by extension, steam.
2. To travel over water in a ship or boat.
3. To begin a voyage; set sail.
4. To manage a sailing craft: Can you sail?
5. To move, glide, or float in the air; soar.
6. To move along in a stately or dignified manner: She sailed by haughtily.
7. Colloq. To pass rapidly.
8. Colloq. To proceed boldly into action: with in.
—v.t.
9. To move or travel across the surface of (a body of water) in a ship or boat.
10. To navigate (a ship, etc.).
—to sail into
1. To begin with energy.
2. To attack violently. ♦ Homophone: sale. [OE segl]
—sail′a·ble adjective
SAILS OF A CLUB TOPSAIL SCHOONER
a. Jib topsail.
b. Flying jib.
c. Jib.
d. Fore club topsail.
e. Foresail.
f. Maintopmast staysail.
g. Main club topsail.
h. Mainsail.