press of sail

American  

noun

Nautical.

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

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press of sail British  

noun

1. Also called: press of canvas.  nautical the most sail a vessel can carry under given conditions

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Etymology

Origin of press of sail

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Nothing is more probable than that she capsized and went down, while carrying a press of sail to escape her pursuers.

From Project Gutenberg

To rush with violence and noise, as a ship under a press of sail, before a free wind.

From Project Gutenberg

It was now blowing half a gale of wind, and over a three or four knot tide, the old vessel was staggering along under a press of sail she had never felt before.

From Project Gutenberg

We had now leisure to attend to the Beagle, and soon saw that her signals were only to warn us, for she had resumed her course under a press of sail.

From Project Gutenberg

Here was the bark, cutting through the water at a spanking rate; there the larger galleon, speeding after her under press of sail, and two other vessels equally large coming up from the south.

From Project Gutenberg