weatherly, a. (and adv.)
(ˈwɛðəlɪ)
† 1. Of or pertaining to the weather. Obs. rare—1.
| 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 61 Any proposition or prognostication (as well touching weatherly events as arbitrary contingents). |
2. Naut. Of a sailing vessel: Able to sail close to the wind without drifting to leeward. Also used loosely (see quot. 1904).
| 1729 Phil. Trans. XXXVI. 57, I proposed to make a Ship work far better to Windward, than it is possible for the most Weatherly one to do at present. 1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle viii, Notwithstanding her weatherly qualities, the heavy cross sea, as she drove into it, headed her off bodily. 1846 G. Warburton Hochelaga I. 19 Those stout weatherly boats crowding up to the wharves, have just now returned from fishing for cod. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Weatherly, said of a well-trimmed ship with a clean bottom, when she holds a good wind, and presents such lateral resistance to the water, that she makes but little lee-way while sailing close⁓hauled. 1886 R. C. Leslie Sea Painter's Log 226 For downright weatherly qualities, lead and leverage will beat beam without depth. 1904 Dixon Kemp's Yacht & Boat Sailing 649/2 Weatherly, the quality of hanging to windward well or holding a good wind. This term is often improperly used to denote good behaviour in a sea way or in bad weather. |
† 3. adv. To the windward. Obs. rare—1.
| 1708 Lond. Gaz. No. 4422/7 Three of their Ships being almost as far Weatherly as we were. |