Reefed: meaning, definitions and examples

Add to dictionary

reefed

 

[ ri:ft ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

sailing terms

Reefed refers to the practice of reducing the area of a sail by folding or rolling part of it. This is often done to maintain control and stability of the vessel during strong winds or rough seas. When sails are reefed, they remain functional, allowing the boat to continue moving while minimizing the risk of overpowering the sail. It is a crucial skill for sailors to ensure safety while still harnessing the wind effectively.

Synonyms

reduce, shorten, trim.

Examples of usage

  • The captain ordered the crew to reef the sails before the storm hit.
  • When the winds picked up, they quickly reefed the main sail.
  • It's important to know how to reef your sails in changing weather conditions.

Translations

Translations of the word "reefed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reafirmado

🇮🇳 रीफेड

🇩🇪 gerefft

🇮🇩 diperkuat

🇺🇦 зміцнений

🇵🇱 zmocniony

🇯🇵 リーフされた

🇫🇷 réaffirmé

🇪🇸 reefed

🇹🇷 güçlendirilmiş

🇰🇷 리프된

🇸🇦 معزز

🇨🇿 posílený

🇸🇰 posilnený

🇨🇳 增强的

🇸🇮 okrepljen

🇮🇸 styrkt

🇰🇿 күшейтілген

🇬🇪 გაძლიერებული

🇦🇿 gücləndirilmiş

🇲🇽 reefed

Etymology

The term 'reefed' comes from the nautical practice of reefing sails to reduce their area and increase control over a sailing vessel. The word 'reef' itself has Old Norse origins, traced back to the word 'rafr' meaning 'to gather or roll up'. Historically, sailors would reef sails during adverse weather conditions to prevent damage and enhance maneuverability. This practice has been vital in maritime traditions to ensure vessels could navigate safely through storms. Over time, the term has been adopted into broader sailing language, representing the skillful management of sails in various wind conditions.