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Glite Dictionary
🎣 A fishing net 🎣 To haul fish ⛵ A sail rope ⛵ To gather sail
brail

brail

9.9
A small rope used to pull a sail up or in
  • noun
  • /breɪl/
  • Archaic
: cabo para recoger la vela
  • The sailor pulled on the brail to gather up the sail before the storm.

Examples

  • With a practiced hand, she loosened the brail to let the sail fall.

  • Can you pass me the brails for the main sail?

  • Several brails were frayed and needed to be replaced before the next voyage.

  • The sailor adjusted the brail to secure the sail.

  • The sailor pulled on the brail to gather up the sail before the storm.

  • Several brails were frayed and needed to be replaced before the next voyage.

  • With a practiced hand, she loosened the brail to let the sail fall.

Synonyms

buntline
vsbrail
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A rope at the bottom of a square sail that sailors pull to lift it to the yard

draws the sail in generally rather than pulling from the bottom
snotter
vsbrail
  • UK
1 9.9

A short rope that holds a small pole to keep a sail in place

gathers a sail inward to shorten it rather than merely fastening it
small stuff
vsbrail
  • Specialized
8.6

A thin rope on a ship used for small tasks like tying or securing

is a specific small rope used to pull a sail in rather than general use

Surface Forms

brail singular
brails plural

Etymology

Brail comes from an old French word braiel meaning 'little belt', and you can picture a small belt used to gather cloth. A sailing brail is a small rope that 'belts' the sail up, which is why it means a short rope used to draw in or gather a sail.