press of sail

noun Nautical.

as much sail as the wind or other conditions will permit a ship to carry.

Origin of press of sail

First recorded in 1585–95

Also called press of canvas.

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

British Dictionary definitions for press of sail

press of sail

noun

nautical the most sail a vessel can carry under given conditionsAlso called: press of canvas

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