View synonyms for furl

furl

[ furl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to gather into a compact roll and bind securely, as a sail against a spar or a flag against its staff.

verb (used without object)

to become furled.

noun

the act of furling.
something furled, as a roll.

furl.

abbreviation for

furlough.

furl

/ fɜːl /

verb

to roll up (an umbrella, a flag, etc) neatly and securely or (of an umbrella, flag, etc) to be rolled up in this way
tr nautical to gather in (a square sail)

noun

the act or an instance of furling
a single rolled-up section

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Derived Forms

ˈfurler, noun
ˈfurlable, adjective

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Other Words From

furla·ble adjective
furler noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of furl¹

1550–60; compare Middle French ferler in same sense, perhaps representing Old French ferlier to chain, fasten, equivalent to fer firm (< Latin firmus ) + lier to bind (< Latin ligāre )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of furl¹

C16: from Old French ferlier to bind tightly, from ferm tight (from Latin firmus firm ¹) + lier to tie, bind, from Latin ligāre

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

furl in a body, Nautical. to furl (a square sail) with loose canvas gathered at the mast, so as to make a harbor furl.
furl in the bunt, Nautical. to furl (a square sail) by gathering canvas upward, so as to load the yard equally at all points.

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Example Sentences

Once, when it was rather gusty weather, all hands were wanted, and the skipper ordered him to furl a sail.

From Project Gutenberg

He instantly gave orders to furl the awning, and to be ready to make sail as soon as the breeze should reach us.

From Project Gutenberg

He leaped upon the house and helped Dolph and Otie furl the mainsail that lay sprawled in the lazy-jaeks.

From Project Gutenberg

It was my duty to furl the fore-royal; and while standing by to loose it again, I had a fine view of the scene.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Nott now took the helm, while the crew went aloft to furl the lighter canvas and to take a reef in the topsails.

From Project Gutenberg

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April 18, 2024petrichor

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

furkid furlong

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