First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1brail
noun \ˈbrāl\
Definition of BRAIL
1
: a rope fastened to the leech of a sail and used for hauling the sail up or in
2
: a dip net with which fish are hauled aboard a boat from a purse seine or trap
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Origin of BRAIL
Middle English brayle, from Anglo-French braiel belt, strap, brail, alteration of Old French braiuel belt, probably ultimately from Latin braca pants — more at breech
Rhymes with BRAIL
2brail
verb
Definition of BRAIL
transitive verb
1
: to take in (a sail) by the brails
2
: to hoist (fish) by means of a brail
First Known Use of BRAIL
1625
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