parrel

or par·ral

[ par-uh l ]

/ ˈpær əl /

noun

Nautical. a sliding ring or collar of rope, wood, or metal that confines a yard or the jaws of a gaff to the mast but allows vertical movement.

Nearby words

parra, parrakeet, parral, parramatta, parran, parrel, parricide, parrington, parrington, vernon louis, parris island, parrish

Origin of parrel

1425–75; late Middle English perell, variant of Middle English parail, aphetic variant of aparail apparel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for parrel

I poot mine mout to a parrel of bier,Und emptied it oop mit a schwigs.
The Book of Humorous Verse|Various
The Parrel is a movable band-rope, used to fasten the yard to its respective mast.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction|Various
Spherical pieces of wood, termed bull's-eyes, having a hole through them, in which is inserted the rope of the parrel.
The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth
"I feel like my headt vas as pig as a parrel," answered Carl.
Motor Matt's Daring Rescue|Stanley R. Matthews

Some of the men ran to let go the haulyards and lower the sail, but the parrel jammed and the yard would not come down.
She|H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for parrel

parrel

parral

/ (ˈpærəl) /

noun

nautical a ring that holds the jaws of a boom to the mast but lets it slide up and down

Word Origin for parrel

C15: probably from obsolete aparail equipment, a variant of apparel

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012