Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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 water.

            Behoves him now both sail and oar.    --Milton.

   2. Anything resembling a sail, or regarded as a sail.

   3. A wing; a van. [Poetic]

            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.

   Note: In this sense, the plural has usually the same form as
         the singular; as, twenty sail were in sight.

   6. A passage by a sailing vessel; a journey or excursion upon
      the water.

   Note: 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
         quadrilateral, but not necessarily square. See Phrases
         under {Fore}, a., and {Square}, a.; also, {Bark},
         {Brig}, {Schooner}, {Ship}, {Stay}.

   {Sail burton} (Naut.), a purchase for hoisting sails aloft
      for bending.

   {Sail fluke} (Zo["o]l.), the whiff.

   {Sail hook}, a small hook used in making sails, to hold the
      seams square.

   {Sail loft}, a loft or room where sails are cut out and made.
      

   {Sail room} (Naut.), a room in a vessel where sails are
      stowed when not in use.

   {Sail yard} (Naut.), the yard or spar on which a sail is
      extended.

   {Shoulder-of-mutton sail} (Naut.), a triangular sail of
      peculiar form. It is chiefly used to set on a boat's mast.
      

   {To crowd sail}. (Naut.) See under {Crowd}.

   {To loose sails} (Naut.), to unfurl or spread sails.

   {To make sail} (Naut.), to extend an additional quantity of
      sail.

   {To set a sail} (Naut.), to extend or spread a sail to the
      wind.

   {To set sail} (Naut.), to unfurl or spread the sails; hence,
      to begin a voyage.

   {To shorten sail} (Naut.), to reduce the extent of sail, or
      take in a part.

   {To strike sail} (Naut.), 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.

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.

   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.

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

   3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of.

            Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.
                                                  --Dryden.

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

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

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