The spelling of the word "brail" is a bit confusing due to its pronunciation. The IPA phonetic transcription for "brail" is /breɪl/ which indicates the long "a" sound in the first syllable as in "braid," and the short "i" sound in the second syllable as in "ill." Some may mistake the spelling as "braille," which is the correct spelling for the tactile writing system, but "brail" refers to a type of rope or line used on sailing ships to help raise or lower the sails.
Brail has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Below, you'll find a dictionary definition encompassing its most common usages.
As a verb, "brail" refers to the act of gathering or furling a sail by means of ropes or lines. This nautical term specifically describes the action of pulling the edges or corners of a sail inward towards the mast or spar to reduce the sail's surface area, thereby decreasing its exposure to wind and generating less force. The process of brailing can be employed to manage and control the sails on various types of boats, from small sailboats to large ships. By brailing the sails, sailors can either prepare for docking or mooring or adjust the sail area in response to changes in the wind's strength and direction.
As a noun, "brail" pertains to the lines or ropes used in the brailing process to gather or furl a sail. These lines are attached to the edges or corners of a sail and are manipulated to bring the sail into a more compact form. Typically made of strong and durable materials, such as nylon or polyester, brails provide the necessary strength and flexibility to control the sails effectively.
Overall, "brail" encompasses both a verb and a noun related to the management of sails on a boat, encompassing the action of furling or gathering a sail and the lines or ropes used in this process.
The word "brail" has a complex etymology, with multiple possible origins.
1. One theory suggests that "brail" comes from the Old Norse word "breidel" or "breiðl", which means a rein or a strap used to control a horse. This connection is based on the idea that the action of hauling something in, as done by the ropes called "brails" on a sailing ship, is similar to how reins are pulled in to control a horse.
2. Another hypothesis proposes that "brail" has its roots in the Middle Dutch word "brauwe" or the Middle Low German word "bräle", which both mean to hoist or lift. This idea suggests that the word evolved from its nautical context to also refer to other actions of raising or hauling something.