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to furl

to furl

3 7.8
To roll up things like a sail or flag neatly for storage
  • verb
  • /fɜrl/
translation icon : arriar
  • Furl the sail.
  • furled sails
  • furled umbrella
  • furled flag

Examples

  • Han had to lie down flat on the deck to fit behind the boom and furled sail of the mizzenmast.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Man the longboats, furl the sail and prepare to drop anchor.

  • Furl sail and strike water!

  • The oarsmen furled the sail and began to row.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Joe stands at the railing, the sails still furled behind him.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Orchard Street was a quiet ship with sails all furled and flags stricken.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Toward dawn, Mont had actually fallen asleep in a fold of the furled sails while Han kept watch.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • A cluster of ships lay moored already: another king's knarr with its red, furled sail, and some small fishing boats.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • After a long day on the water, the captain ordered the crew to furl the sails and prepare for the night.

  • As the storm approached, the sailors quickly furled the flags to protect them from the wind.

Synonyms

to roll up
vsto furl
25 3.4

Fold or turn something so it becomes a tight round shape

focuses on neat secure fastening for sails and flags
to wrap up
vsto furl
7 3.4

Roll something into a tube by turning it around

fastens something neatly and securely mainly for sails and flags
to fold up
vsto furl
6 3.0

Bend something, like a map or blanket, so it becomes small for storage

secures something neatly and keeps it fastened mainly for sails and flags

How Neat

to furl
3 7.8
to stow
57 5.8
to roll up
25 3.4
to fold
220 1.0
to toss
348 1.0

Surface Forms

furl infinitive
furled past
furled past participle
furling present participle
furls third person singular

Etymology

The word furl comes from an old word meaning 'to roll or fold up'. Think of carefully rolling a sail or flag into a neat bundle, which is why to furl something today is to roll or fold it up securely.