buntline Naut.
(ˈbʌntˌlaɪn)
[f. bunt n.1 + line.]
1. A rope fastened to the foot-rope of a sail and passing in front of the canvas, so as to prevent it from ‘bellying’ when being furled.
1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. v. 22 Bunt lines is..a small rope..to trice or draw vp the Bunt of the saile, when you farthell or make it vp. 1748 Anson Voy. i. x. (ed. 4) 139 Endeavouring to hand the top-sails, the clew-lines and bunt-lines broke. 1840 R. Dana Bef. Mast xxiii. 70 The jigger was bent on to the slack of the buntlines. |
2. Comb., as buntline-cringle; buntline-cloth, buntline-span (see quots.).
1794 Rigging & Seamanship I. 86 Buntline Cloth, the lining sewed up the sail, in the direction of the buntline, to prevent the sail being chafed. 1882 Nares Seamansh. (ed. 6) 80 A buntline span is a short piece of rope, with a thimble spliced into one end, through which the buntline is rove; they are used to keep the sail, when hauled up by the buntlines, from being blown away from the yard. |