close-reefed
Americanadjective
Etymology
Origin of close-reefed
First recorded in 1750–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Just before sunset we got our anchors at the bow, and were under close-reefed sail, beating back to the place we left in the forenoon, near the first narrows.
From The Captive in Patagonia by Bourne, Benjamin Franklin
Before midnight, we were under reefed foresail and close-reefed driver; and, before the morning watch, were hove to under stormstaysails.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 15 by Various
The old hotel creaked and sighed as the blast assailed it, and I dreamed all night of close-reefed topsails.
From My Unknown Chum by Fairbanks, Charles Bullard
Happening to glance seaward, he was surprised to see a topsail schooner, under close-reefed canvas, running past the island.
From The Nameless Island A Story of some Modern Robinson Crusoes by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)
At nine P. M., the squalls becoming heavy, we furled the top-gallant sails and foresail, close-reefed the topsails, and took the bonnets off the trysails.
From Memoirs of Service Afloat, During the War Between the States by Semmes, Raphael
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
