A reef-band that crosses a sail from the outer head-earing to the tack diagonally, making it nearly triangular, and is used to contract it in very blowing weather. (2) A balance reef-band is generally placed in all gaff-sails; the band runs from the throat to the clew, so that it may be reefed either way by lacing the foot or lower half; or by lacing the gaff drooped to the band: the latter is only done in the worst weather.
This is a point on which seamen may select but the old plan, as first given, affords more power; (2) is applicable to the severest weather.
A mercantile word originally introduced into the ordinary language of life by the southern people, b...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
I. n. term in gold-mining; a vein ofauriferous quartz. Called by the Californian miners a vein, or...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris