plain sail

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. any of the ordinary working sails of a vessel.

2. all these sails, taken collectively.

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Etymology

Origin of plain sail

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

plain sail

The wind proving favourable, plain sail was made, and for the next five days we made rapid headway.

From From Lower Deck to Pulpit by Cowling, Henry

The steel corvettes were able to carry all plain sail with impunity.

From In Eastern Seas Or, the Commission of H.M.S. 'Iron Duke,' flag-ship in China, 1878-83 by Smith, J. J.

Heave as they did, we were still able to make way on our course, standing with yards in to the quartering wind and all plain sail on her.

From The Brassbounder A Tale of the Sea by Bone, David W.

Now, however, having a chance of looking about me, my first glance was up aloft; and I noticed that the brig was under all plain sail, running before the wind, which was almost dead aft.

From On Board the Esmeralda Martin Leigh's Log - A Sea Story by Overend, William Heysham

It were plain sailin' gittin' out o' the harbor, an', as the weather were fair with a stiddy wind, I let the colt go along under plain sail.

From Harper's Round Table, June 25, 1895 by Various