plain sail

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. any of the ordinary working sails of a vessel.

2. all these sails, taken collectively.

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Etymology

Origin of plain sail

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

She was about two miles away, with all plain sail set, beating against the wind towards the northern end of the island.

From The Cruise of the 'Alerte' The narrative of a search for treasure on the desert island of Trinidad by Knight, E. F. (Edward Frederick)

We were under all plain sail, and, as there was a good breeze, we ran quickly through the water as before, with men on the look-out forward, and the lead kept going.

From The Cruise of the Dainty Rovings in the Pacific by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Apparently she had been under all plain sail when the thing happened.

From Overdue The Story of a Missing Ship by Holloway, W. Herbert

The cause of our sudden recall then became apparent, for standing in under all plain sail were three large ships.

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

The wind proving favourable, plain sail was made, and for the next five days we made rapid headway.

From From Lower Deck to Pulpit by Cowling, Henry