furl
furl
Definition
furl (fʉrl)
transitive verb
to roll up tightly and make secure, as a flag to a staff or a sail to a spar
Etymology: < OFr ferlier < fermlier, to tie up < ferm (< L firmus, firm) + lier (< L ligare, to tie: see ligature)
intransitive verb
to become curled or rolled up
noun
- a roll or coil of something furled
- a furling or being furled
furl
Synonyms
furl
Usage Examples
Object
- sail: I have studied many times the marble which was chiseled for me - a boat with a furled sail at rest in a harbor.
- gear: For a quick note on reefing gears versus furling gears, see the box.
- leader: This makes life easier compared to some furled leaders which have no loop on the end.
- line: The heart of the matter is keeping control of the furling line.
- system: Mast modifications include a hydraulically adjustable forestay, an upgraded furling system, replacement of rig fittings and PBO rigging.
- genoa: Alan decided to furl the genoa and hoist the blade jib.
Modifying Another Word
- tightly: Most of the leaves have now fallen from the Hazel bushes and the small, tightly furled catkins are already visible on the branches.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- up: My Dad kept a screen furled up under the stairs - film screen - and he had a 9.5 movie projector.
