plain sail

American  

noun

Nautical.

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

2. all these sails, taken collectively.

---

Etymology

Origin of plain sail

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

We were under all plain sail at the time, with the exception of the royals, which were furled, and the main sail that hung in the buntlines.

From Heroes of the Goodwin Sands by Treanor, Thomas Stanley

And so, after a narrow squeak of being cut down by a big steamer just outside, we found ourselves close-hauled under all plain sail, making a long leg with a short one to follow.

From The Recipe for Diamonds by Hyne, Charles John Cutcliffe Wright

An hour later the Farallone was under all plain sail, the rudder hard a-port, and the cheerfully-clanking windlass had brought the anchor home.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. XIX (of 25) The Ebb-Tide; Weir of Hermiston by Stevenson, Robert Louis

We weighed anchor in the afternoon of October 9, and got out of the harbour under all plain sail.

From The Cruise of the 'Alerte' The narrative of a search for treasure on the desert island of Trinidad by Knight, E. F. (Edward Frederick)

When in line of battle, for the leading ship to carry as much sail as her commander judges the worst sailing ship can preserve her station with all her plain sail set.

From Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX. by Corbett, Julian S. (Julian Stafford)