brail

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a small net used to draw fish into a boat
  2. noun a small rope (one of several) used to draw a sail in
  3. verb take in a sail with a brail

Etymology

From Middle English brayle, from Old French braiel, from Medieval Latin bracale (“girdle”) (from bracae (“breeches”)).

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