press of sail

noun

Nautical.

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

press of sail

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of press of sail¹

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

Having left Latitude Bay, we stood off until midnight, and then in shore again, carrying a press of sail all the time, in order to 'hold our own' against our old enemy, the current.

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