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brail

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noun \ˈbrāl\

Definition of brail

  1. 1 :  a rope fastened to the leech of a sail and used for hauling the sail up or in

  2. 2 :  a dip net with which fish are hauled aboard a boat from a purse seine or trap

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Origin and Etymology of brail

Middle English brayle, from Anglo-French braiel belt, strap, brail, alteration of Old French braiuel belt, probably ultimately from Latin braca pants — more at breech

2

brail

verb

Definition of brail

  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to take in (a sail) by the brails

  3. 2 :  to hoist (fish) by means of a brail

First Known Use of brail

1625

Learn More about brail

  1. See words that rhyme with brail

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