Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A triangular sail bent to the mainmast and sheeted down aft, to steady a vessel when head on to the wind.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The riding-sail was down and the main - and topsail were up by noon, and dories came alongside with letters for home, envying their good fortune.

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • Harvey very soon discovered that the 'We're Here', with her riding-sail, strolling from berth to berth, and the 'We're Here' headed west by south under home canvas, were two very different boats.

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • The shadow of the masts and rigging, with the never-furled riding-sail, rolled to and fro on the heaving deck in the moonlight; and the pile of fish by the stern shone like a dump of fluid silver.

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • The 'We're Here', under jib and riding-sail, gave her no more room than was absolutely necessary, -- Disko did not wish to spend a week hunting for his cable, -- but scuttled up into the wind as the Carrie passed within easy hail, a silent and angry boat, at the mercy of a raking broadside of

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • The anchor came up with a sob, and the riding-sail bellied as Troop steadied her at the wheel.

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • The lashed wheel groaned and kicked softly, the riding-sail slatted a little in the shifts of the light wind, the windlass creaked, and the miserable procession continued.

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • The schooner, with a triangular riding-sail on the mainmast, played easily at anchor, and except for the man by the cabin-roof -- "house" they call it -- she was deserted.

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

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