DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Sail n.
1. An extent of canvas or other fabric by means of which the wind is made serviceable as a power for propelling vessels through the water.
Behoves him now both sail and oar. --Milton.
2. Anything resembling a sail, or regarded as a sail.
3. A wing; a van. [Poetic]
Like an eagle soaring
To weather his broad sails. --Spenser.
4. The extended surface of the arm of a windmill.
5. A sailing vessel; a vessel of any kind; a craft.
Note: ☞ In this sense, the plural has usually the same form as the singular; as, twenty sail were in sight.
6. A passage by a sailing vessel; a journey or excursion upon the water.
Note: ☞ Sails are of two general kinds, fore-and-aft sails, and square sails. Square sails are always bent to yards, with their foot lying across the line of the vessel. Fore-and-aft sails are set upon stays or gaffs with their foot in line with the keel. A fore-and-aft sail is triangular, or quadrilateral with the after leech longer than the fore leech. Square sails are quadrilateral, but not necessarily square. See Phrases under Fore, a., and Square, a.; also, Bark, Brig, Schooner, Ship, Stay.
Sail burton Naut., a purchase for hoisting sails aloft for bending.
Sail fluke Zool., the whiff.
Sail hook, a small hook used in making sails, to hold the seams square.
Sail loft, a loft or room where sails are cut out and made.
Sail room Naut., a room in a vessel where sails are stowed when not in use.
Sail yard Naut., the yard or spar on which a sail is extended.
Shoulder-of-mutton sail Naut., a triangular sail of peculiar form. It is chiefly used to set on a boat's mast.
To crowd sail. Naut. See under Crowd.
To loose sails Naut., to unfurl or spread sails.
To make sail Naut., to extend an additional quantity of sail.
To set a sail Naut., to extend or spread a sail to the wind.
To set sail Naut., to unfurl or spread the sails; hence, to begin a voyage.
To shorten sail Naut., to reduce the extent of sail, or take in a part.
To strike sail Naut., to lower the sails suddenly, as in saluting, or in sudden gusts of wind; hence, to acknowledge inferiority; to abate pretension.
Under sail, having the sails spread.
Shoul·der n.
1. Anat. The joint, or the region of the joint, by which the fore limb is connected with the body or with the shoulder girdle; the projection formed by the bones and muscles about that joint.
2. The flesh and muscles connected with the shoulder joint; the upper part of the back; that part of the human frame on which it is most easy to carry a heavy burden; -- often used in the plural.
Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore
The gates of Azza. --Milton.
Adown her shoulders fell her length of hair. --Dryden.
3. Fig.: That which supports or sustains; support.
In thy shoulder do I build my seat. --Shak.
4. That which resembles a human shoulder, as any protuberance or projection from the body of a thing.
The north western shoulder of the mountain. --Sir W. Scott.
5. The upper joint of the fore leg and adjacent parts of an animal, dressed for market; as, a shoulder of mutton.
6. Fort. The angle of a bastion included between the face and flank. See Illust. of Bastion.
7. An abrupt projection which forms an abutment on an object, or limits motion, etc., as the projection around a tenon at the end of a piece of timber, the part of the top of a type which projects beyond the base of the raised character, etc.
Shoulder belt, a belt that passes across the shoulder.
Shoulder blade Anat., the flat bone of the shoulder, to which the humerus is articulated; the scapula.
Shoulder block Naut., a block with a projection, or shoulder, near the upper end, so that it can rest against a spar without jamming the rope.
Shoulder clapper, one who claps another on the shoulder, or who uses great familiarity. [Obs.] --Shak.
Shoulder girdle. Anat. See Pectoral girdle, under Pectoral.
Shoulder knot, an ornamental knot of ribbon or lace worn on the shoulder; a kind of epaulet or braided ornament worn as part of a military uniform.
Shoulder-of-mutton sail Naut., a triangular sail carried on a boat's mast; -- so called from its shape.
Shoulder slip, dislocation of the shoulder, or of the humerous. --Swift.
Shoulder strap, a strap worn on or over the shoulder. Specifically Mil. & Naval, a narrow strap worn on the shoulder of a commissioned officer, indicating, by a suitable device, the rank he holds in the service. See Illust. in App.