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

The fore and main topsails were close-reefed, the storm stay-sails and jib set, and the guns, boats, and hatches properly secured.

From The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

Jo Vanny drew down his cap, put his hands deep in his pockets, and thus close-reefed scudded down the hill in the freezing wind to the shelter of the streets below.

From The Front Yard by Woolson, Constance Fenimore

The wind was favourable all the way, but strong enough to make a glorious passage with a close-reefed mainsail and storm-jib, so they bowled along, impatient now to get back to bonnie Arrandoon.

From The Cruise of the Snowbird A Story of Arctic Adventure by Stables, Gordon

Our decks were constantly flooded, and we could rarely show more than 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

Bird notes are hushed; the birds, lurking close-reefed under the lee of the big branches or the heavy foliage, or at the heart of the cedar trees, make no sign as we pass.

From The Jonathan Papers by Morris, Elisabeth Woodbridge