furl
/fə:l/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To roll or fold something, especially a sail, flag, or umbrella, neatly and securely into a compact cylindrical shape, and often to fasten it in that position.
Usage
- Transitive verb: The action is performed on an object.
- The sailors will furl the sails before the storm.
- Please furl the flag at sunset.
- Intransitive verb: The subject itself undergoes the action.
- The large sail furled neatly with a pull of the rope.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "to furl away": To put something away by furling it.
- The banners were furled away after the ceremony.
- Used metaphorically to describe closing or putting something aside.
- She furled her ambitions and focused on the present task.
Variants and Related Words
- Furler (n): A mechanical device used to roll up a sail on a boat.
- Furling (n/adj): The act or process of furling; designed for furling (e.g., a furling system).
Synonyms
- Roll up: To form into a cylindrical shape.
- Coil: To wind into a series of loops.
- Stow: To pack or store away neatly.
Antonyms
- Unfurl: To spread or open out something that has been rolled up.
- Unroll: To open something that is rolled.
- Deploy: To spread out or arrange for action.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Furl up: To roll something up completely.
- The old map was brittle, so we furled it up gently.
Related Idioms
- To furl one's sails: To restrain oneself; to become less active or ambitious.
- After the initial failure, he decided to furl his sails and reconsider his strategy.
Verb
- form into a cylinder by rolling
- Roll up the cloth