sail

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
sail/seɪl/

▶noun

• 1 a piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship.

  ■ a wind-catching apparatus attached to the arm of a windmill.

  ■ the broad fin on the back of a sailfish or of some prehistoric reptiles.

  ■ a structure by which an animal is propelled across the surface of water by the wind, e.g. the float of a Portuguese man-of-war.

• 2 a voyage or excursion in a sailing boat or ship.

▶verb

• 1 travel in a sailing boat as a sport or for recreation.

  ■ travel in a ship or boat using sails or engine power.

  ■ begin a voyage; leave a harbour.

  ■ travel by ship on or across (a sea) or on (a route).

  ■ navigate or control (a boat or ship).

• 2 move smoothly and rapidly or in a stately or confident manner.

  ■ (sail through) informal succeed easily at (something, especially a test or examination).

  ■ (sail into) informal attack physically or verbally.

– phrases
in (or under) full sail with all the sails in position or fully spread.
sail close to (or near) the wind see wind1.
under sail with the sails hoisted.

– derivatives
sailable adjective,
-sailed adjective,
sailing noun.

– origin OE segel (n.), seglian (v.), of Gmc origin.