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

They were running under their foresail and close-reefed mainsail only, for the south-west wind for which they had waited was swelling to storm-fury.

From Beggars on Horseback by Jesse, F. Tennyson (Fryniwyd Tennyson)

Tom also told me we were under close-reefed topsails and storm jib, and that if it came on to blow a bit more, we should be scudding under bare poles.

From Shireen and her Friends Pages from the Life of a Persian Cat by Stables, Gordon

So he had the ship made snug under close-reefed main-topsail, a storm jib, and a rag of spanker.

From Harper's Round Table, June 18, 1895 by Various

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

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