a sheet in the wind

1 definition found

a sheet in the wind - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Sheet \Sheet\, n. [OE. shete, schete, AS. sc[=e]te, sc[=y]te,
     fr. sce['a]t a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin
     to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of
     a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment);
     originally, that which shoots out, from the root of AS.
     sce['o]tan to shoot. [root]159. See Shoot, v. t.]
     In general, a large, broad piece of anything thin, as paper,
     cloth, etc.; a broad, thin portion of any substance; an
     expanded superficies. Specifically:
     (a) A broad piece of cloth, usually linen or cotton, used for
         wrapping the body or for a covering; especially, one used
         as an article of bedding next to the body.
         [1913 Webster]
  
               He fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a
               certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been
               a great sheet knit at the four corners. --Acts x.
                                                    10, 11.
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               If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me
               In one of those same sheets.         --Shak.
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     (b) A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded,
         whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a
         letter; a newspaper, etc.
     (c) A single signature of a book or a pamphlet; in pl., the
         book itself.
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               To this the following sheets are intended for a
               full and distinct answer.            --Waterland.
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     (d) A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other
         substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like;
         a plate; a leaf.
     (e) A broad expanse of water, or the like. "The two beautiful
         sheets of water." --Macaulay.
     (f) A sail. --Dryden.
     (g) (Geol.) An extensive bed of an eruptive rock intruded
         between, or overlying, other strata.
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     2. [AS. sce['a]ta. See the Etymology above.] (Naut.)
        (a) A rope or chain which regulates the angle of
            adjustment of a sail in relation in relation to the
            wind; -- usually attached to the lower corner of a
            sail, or to a yard or a boom.
        (b) pl. The space in the forward or the after part of a
            boat where there are no rowers; as, fore sheets; stern
            sheets.
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     Note: Sheet is often used adjectively, or in combination, to
           denote that the substance to the name of which it is
           prefixed is in the form of sheets, or thin plates or
           leaves; as, sheet brass, or sheet-brass; sheet glass,
           or sheet-glass; sheet gold, or sheet-gold; sheet iron,
           or sheet-iron, etc.
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     A sheet in the wind, half drunk. [Sailors' Slang]
  
     Both sheets in the wind, very drunk. [Sailors' Slang]
  
     In sheets, lying flat or expanded; not folded, or folded
        but not bound; -- said especially of printed sheets.
  
     Sheet bend (Naut.), a bend or hitch used for temporarily
        fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an
        eye.
  
     Sheet lightning, Sheet piling, etc. See under
        Lightning, Piling, etc.
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