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.



      Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin. --Rom.
                                                  iii. 9.

      That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct.
                                                  --Milton.

      Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore
      blows For sinking under them.               --Shak.
      (b) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or
          degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in
          a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority,
          or of falling short.

                Three sons he dying left under age. --Spenser.

                Medicines take effect sometimes under, and
                sometimes above, the natural proportion of their
                virtue.                           --Hooker.

                There are several hundred parishes in England
                under twenty pounds a year.       --Swift.

                It was too great an honor for any man under a
                duke.                             --Addison.

   Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than;
         as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars.

               Several young men could never leave the pulpit
               under half a dozen conceits.       --Swift.
      (c) Denoting relation to something that comprehends or
          includes, that represents or designates, that
          furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as,
          he betrayed him under the guise of friendship;
          Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy
          asleep.

                A crew who, under names of old renown . . .
                abused Fanatic Egypt.             --Milton.

                Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double
                capacity of a poet and a divine.  --Felton.

                Under this head may come in the several contests
                and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes.
                                                  --C. Leslie.
      (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being
          subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like;
          as, a bill under discussion.

                Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood,
                Under amazement of their hideous change.
                                                  --Milton.

   {Under arms}. (Mil.)
      (a) Drawn up fully armed and equipped.
      (b) Enrolled for military service; as, the state has a
          million men under arms.

   {Under canvas}.
      (a) (Naut.) Moved or propelled by sails; -- said of any
          vessel with her sail set, but especially of a steamer
          using her sails only, as distinguished from one under
          steam. Under steam and canvas signifies that a vessel
          is using both means of propulsion.
      (b) (Mil.) Provided with, or sheltered in, tents.

   {Under fire}, exposed to an enemy's fire; taking part in a
      battle or general engagement.

   {Under foot}. See under {Foot}, n.

   {Under ground}, below the surface of the ground.

   {Under one's signature}, with one's signature or name
      subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf.
      the second Note under {Over}, prep.

   {Under sail}. (Naut.)
      (a) With anchor up, and under the influence of sails;
          moved by sails; in motion.
      (b) With sails set, though the anchor is down.
      (c) Same as {Under canvas}
      (a), above. --Totten.

   {Under sentence}, having had one's sentence pronounced.

   {Under the breath}, with low voice; very softly.

   {Under the lee} (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of
      the land.

   {Under the rose}. See under {Rose}, n.

   {Under water}, below the surface of the water.

   {Under way}, or {Under weigh} (Naut.), in a condition to make
      progress; having started.