close-reefed

American  

[klohs-reefd, klohz-] / ˈkloʊsˈrifd, ˈkloʊz- /

adjective

Nautical.

1. having most or all of the sail reefs taken in.

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Etymology

Origin of close-reefed

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

There might be dimly seen, nearly abreast of St. Jerome's, a close-reefed brig, holding her course before a fair wind directly across the bay towards the hut of the Cripple.

From Rob of the Bowl, Vol. I (of 2) A Legend of St. Inigoe's by Kennedy, John P.

The northerly breeze, which we had worked with since leaving Port Henry, increased rapidly to a hard gale, and by 8 P.M. we were reduced to the close-reefed main-topsail and reefed foresail.

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Fitzroy, Robert

We had been lying to, all this time, under a close-reefed main-topsail.

From Memoirs of Service Afloat, During the War Between the States by Semmes, Raphael

They judged her to be outward-bound from her being under close-reefed topsails.

From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism. Volume 2 by Whymper, Frederick

The noise that they made, though far distant, reminded me of a hard gale at sea through the rigging of a close-reefed vessel.

From Illustrative Anecdotes of the Animal Kingdom by Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)