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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Sail \Sail\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sailed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Sailing}.] [AS. segelian, seglian. See {Sail}, n.]
1. To be impelled or driven forward by the action of wind
upon sails, as a ship on water; to be impelled on a body
of water by the action of steam or other power.
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2. To move through or on the water; to swim, as a fish or a
water fowl.
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3. To be conveyed in a vessel on water; to pass by water; as,
they sailed from London to Canton.
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4. To set sail; to begin a voyage.
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5. To move smoothly through the air; to glide through the air
without apparent exertion, as a bird.
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As is a winged messenger of heaven, . . .
When he bestrides the lazy pacing clouds,
And sails upon the bosom of the air. --Shak.
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Sailing \Sail"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who, or that which, sails; the motion of a
vessel on water, impelled by wind or steam; the act of
starting on a voyage.
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2. (Naut.) The art of managing a vessel; seamanship;
navigation; as, globular sailing; oblique sailing.
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Note: For the several methods of sailing, see under
{Circular}, {Globular}, {Oblique}, {Parallel}, etc.
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{Sailing master} (U. S. Navy), formerly, a warrant officer,
ranking next below a lieutenant, whose duties were to
navigate the vessel; and under the direction of the
executive officer, to attend to the stowage of the hold,
to the cables, rigging, etc. The grade was merged in that
of master in 1862.
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