brail

[ breyl ]

noun

1. Nautical. any of several horizontal lines fastened to the edge of a fore-and-aft sail or lateen sail, for gathering in the sail.
2. a leather binding for a hawk's wings, to prohibit flight.

verb (used with object)

1. Nautical.
   1. to gather or haul in (a sail) by means of brails (usually followed by up ).
   2. to transfer (fish) from a net to the hold of a ship.
2. to bind (the wings of a bird) in order to prevent it from flying.

brail

/ breɪl /

noun

1. one of several lines fastened to the leech of a fore-and-aft sail to aid in furling it

verb

1. trsometimes foll byup to furl (a fore-and-aft sail) using brails

Other Words From

• un·brailed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brail¹

1400–50; late Middle English, variant of brayell < Anglo-French braiel; Old French < Medieval Latin brācāle breechbelt, noun use of neuter of brācālis, equivalent to Latin brāc ( ae ) trousers (< Gaulish ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of brail¹

C15: from Old French braiel , from Medieval Latin brācāle belt for breeches, from Latin brāca breeches

Example Sentences

Now we will put the last reef in the foresail and hoist it, slack the brail and haul down the main-tack a bit.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the brail of the mainsail was loosed, and the great sail shaken out.

From Project Gutenberg

I did, Mr Brail; but it was the cruise before last—we have been six months here.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, you seem strangely given to the darkness, Mr Brail; it cannot be because your deeds are evil; won't you join the dancers?

From Project Gutenberg

Beg pardon, Mr Brail, but let abee for let abee with mad dogs and daft folk, is an auld but a very true adage.

From Project Gutenberg