brail
Nautical. any of several horizontal lines fastened to the edge of a fore-and-aft sail or lateen sail, for gathering in the sail.
a leather binding for a hawk's wings, to prohibit flight.
Nautical.
to gather or haul in (a sail) by means of brails (usually followed by up).
to transfer (fish) from a net to the hold of a ship.
to bind (the wings of a bird) in order to prevent it from flying.
Origin of brail
1Other words from brail
- un·brailed, adjective
Words Nearby brail
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use brail in a sentence
Now we will put the last reef in the foresail and hoist it, slack the brail and haul down the main-tack a bit.
A Chapter of Adventures | G. A. HentyThen the brail of the mainsail was loosed, and the great sail shaken out.
Sturdy and Strong | G. A. HentyI did, Mr brail; but it was the cruise before last—we have been six months here.
The Cruise of the Midge (Vol. II of 2) | Michael ScottWhy, you seem strangely given to the darkness, Mr brail; it cannot be because your deeds are evil; won't you join the dancers?
The Cruise of the Midge (Vol. II of 2) | Michael ScottBeg pardon, Mr brail, but let abee for let abee with mad dogs and daft folk, is an auld but a very true adage.
The Cruise of the Midge (Vol. I of 2) | Michael Scott
British Dictionary definitions for brail
/ (breɪl) nautical /
one of several lines fastened to the leech of a fore-and-aft sail to aid in furling it
(tr sometimes foll by up) to furl (a fore-and-aft sail) using brails
Origin of brail
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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