Phrase guide

strike sail

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To lower the sails (in preparation for dropping anchor, to salute or signal submission, in sudden gusts of wind, etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Topics: nautical, transport

Examples

  • 1627, John Donne, Sermon 24 in Fifty Sermons, London: M.F. et al., Volume 2, 1649, p. 202, [...] a ship which hath struck Sail, will yet goe on with the winde it had before, for a while,

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: hoist sail

2

verb

Meaning 2

To acknowledge one's inferiority (to another person); to abate pretension.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, obsolete

Examples

  • (obsolete)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: defer, vail

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: laskea purjeet — to lower the sails