reefed
Reduced the canvas
Reefed describes a sail that has been reduced in size by folding or rolling part of it and securing it to manage strong winds.
A reefed mainsail exposes less surface area to the wind, giving sailors more control in rough weather.
By extension, reefed can describe anything deliberately held back or reduced: He kept his ambitions reefed until the right opportunity appeared.
Made more concise
- reducedMade less in amount
- tuckedFolded or pushed in
- gatheredBrought into one place
- contractedReduced in size
diminished · lessened · trimmed · taken in · pulled down · secured · tied · bundled
Principal vessel canvas
- jibTriangular sail forward
- spinnakerDownwind sailing sail
- genoaOversized forward sail
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
furling · rigging · boom · mast · sheet · clew · leech · batten
Severe sustained wind
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
- gustBrief wind surge
- stormSevere atmospheric disturbance
- tempestViolent windstorm or turmoil
heavy weather · blow · strong breeze · foul weather · rough seas · whitecaps · howling
shortened
Made more concise
contracted · diminished · lessened · trimmed · taken in · pulled down · secured · tied · bundled · folded
mainsail
Principal vessel canvas
canvas · furling · rigging · boom · mast · sheet · clew · leech · batten · outhaul
gale
Severe sustained wind
tempest · heavy weather · blow · strong breeze · foul weather · rough seas · whitecaps · howling
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- barrier reefsOffshore coral formations creating lagoons
- Great Barrier ReefVast coral formation near Australia
- coral reef protectionConserving colonial marine habitats
- artificial reefConstructed undersea ecosystem base
- tropical reefWarm-sea underwater formation