furl

Wind and bind

To furl is to roll or fold something flexible into a compact form, typically around a central axis.

Sails are furled when gathered against a mast or boom; flags and umbrellas furl when wound tight: The crew furled the sails as the storm approached.

The opposite is unfurl.

nautical

sail

Ship's wind-catching fabric

  • reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
  • mainsailPrincipal vessel canvas
  • jibTriangular sail forward

spinnaker · genoa · halyard · sheet · clew · leech · luff · batten · rigging · mast

rolling

roll

List of names

  • coilWound circular arrangement
  • wrapEnclose by winding around
  • windAir current outdoors

curl · scroll · bundle · fold · tuck · gather · twist · spiral · loop · twirl

umbrella

canopy

Overhead protective covering

rib · ferrule · handle · collapse · compact · retract · close · sleeve · sheath · case

Categories
Opposites
action on flexible materials (sails, flags, etc.)

furlunfurl

Spread out from rolled

spread · unfold · unroll · open · deploy

Family

unfurl, unfurled, furled, unfurling, unfurls, furls, furling, furler

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G