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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. nautical the most sail a vessel can carry under given conditions Also calledpress of canvas
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of press of sail1

First recorded in 1585–95
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Example Sentences

Nothing is more probable than that she capsized and went down, while carrying a press of sail to escape her pursuers.

To rush with violence and noise, as a ship under a press of sail, before a free wind.

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.

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.

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.

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