Word Of The Day 5-2-2017

rap-full

rap′-fool

Adjective

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Definition

Adjective

1. sailing with sails filled and almost close-hauled

2. of sails :  being full and drawing steadily

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Noun

a state of having the sails full of wind

with a rap full she would heel more — H. A. Calahan

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Examples

Keep her a good full — a rap-full; but don’t let her fall away.
Chapter 38

The ship was kept a rap-full, and she went steadily across the passage, favoured, perhaps, by a little more breeze than had blown most of the morning.
Afloat and Ashore A Sea Tale

The fore and mizen top-gallant-sails were set as fast as possible, the weather-braces pulled upon a little, the bowlines eased, and the brig kept a rap-full.
Afloat and Ashore A Sea Tale

Cuffe, addressing the officer of the watch; “we must do all we can here; for when abreast of the breakers everything must be a rap-full to keep the ship under quick command”.
The Wing-and-Wing Le Feu-Follet

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Origin

The word ‘rap-full’ comes from ‘rap’ (‘a sharp blow’) and ‘-full’).

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