Furl: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿดโ€โ˜ ๏ธ
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furl

 

[ fษœrl ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

folding cloth

To furl means to roll or fold up a piece of fabric, typically a flag, sail, or other cloth, for storage or to keep it safe from wind and weather. This action often involves creating a neat and compact shape that can easily be stowed away. Furling is commonly associated with sails on boats, where sails are furled to prepare the vessel for changing conditions or when docked. It can also refer to the act of winding up something, such as a banner or a flag at a ceremony, to prevent it from unraveling.

Synonyms

bundle, fold, roll up, wrap

Examples of usage

  • The sailor quickly furled the sail as the storm approached.
  • During the ceremony, they furled the national flag.
  • After the event, we furled the banner and stored it safely.
Context #2 | Noun

folded cloth

A furl is a rolled or folded piece of cloth, such as a flag or sail, that is kept in a compact form for storage. It represents the state of being neatly rolled or secured to prevent damage or to minimize space. The term is often used in maritime contexts, where differentiating between furled sails and unfurled sails indicates whether a boat is prepared for sailing or not.

Synonyms

coil, fold, roll

Examples of usage

  • The furl of the flag was smooth and well-maintained.
  • He inspected the furl of the sail before setting out to sea.
  • After the event, the furl of the banner was placed in storage.

Translations

Translations of the word "furl" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น enrolar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฒเคชเฅ‡เคŸเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช wickeln

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ melipat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะณะพั€ั‚ะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zwijaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅทปใ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท enrouler

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ enrollar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sarmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ svinout

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zvinรบลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅท่ตท

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zaviti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vinda

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะพั€ะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒฎแƒ•แƒ”แƒ•แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sarmak

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ enrollar

Etymology

The word 'furl' originates from Middle English 'furle', a term that can be traced back to Old French 'forler', which means 'to roll up'. This word itself is derived from the Latin 'forlare', combining 'for-' meaning 'out' and 'lare', meaning 'to make or do'. The evolution of its usage has largely maintained the core concept of rolling or folding something, primarily fabrics like sails or flags. Over time, 'furl' became specifically associated with nautical terminology, gaining prominence in maritime contexts. The term has been used in literature and practical navigation since at least the 16th century, becoming an integral part of sailing vernacular. As formations of sails can significantly affect the performance and safety of a vessel, the action of furling them is a crucial skill learned by sailors.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,906, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.