Becalm
to deprive (a sailing vessel) of the wind necessary to move it; subject to a calm:
The schooner was becalmed in the horse latitudes for two weeks.
Archaic. to calm; pacify.
Historical Examples
One sail is also said to becalm another when the wind is aft.
Practical Boat-Sailing Douglas Frazar
Ships are generally obliged to be towed into the harbor, in consequence of the high points which tower high, and becalm them.
Torrey’s Narrative William Torrey
An imprisoned man who asks for an Italian book to becalm his fever may be safely presumed to know that language.
Fray Luis de Len James Fitzmaurice-Kelly
becalm, and henceforth think that the peril is mine, not yours.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
I am making a sail according to your lordship’s plan, to becalm the hull of the ship, but want sailcloth for completing it.
The Life of Thomas, Lord Cochrane, Tenth Earl of Dundonald, Vol. II Thomas Lord Cochrane
v.
1550s, from be- + calm. Related: Becalmed; becalming.
Read Also:
- Became
simple past tense of become. to come, change, or grow to be (as specified): He became tired. to come into being. to be attractive on; befit in appearance; look well on: That gown becomes you. to be suitable or necessary to the dignity, situation, or responsibility of: conduct that becomes an officer. become of, to […]
- Becard
any of several passerine birds of the genus Pachyramphus, of the American tropics, having large heads and swollen bills, and variously classified with the flycatchers or the cotingas.
- Be caught dead, not
be caught dead, not Related Terms not be caught dead
- Be caught short
be caught short verb phrase To not have enough: wascaught short at the ticket window
- Because
for the reason that; due to the fact that: The boy was absent because he was ill. Informal. (used directly before a noun, adjective, verb, interjection, etc., to convey a very concise rationale, excuse, or explanation): We’re a little like monkeys because evolution. He doesn’t practice enough: because lazy. I love doughnuts because yum! because […]