2007-10-25 16:07:55 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Here is one definition that I think is pretty understandable:
"To hold one's position in the water by using the force of the sails and the rudder to counteract each other."
In other words, it's a way of making a sailboat stop by using the opposing forces of the wind (sails) and the water (rudder).
The term "heave to" shows up a lot in pirate tales, where the pirate ship "heaves to" (stops dead in the water) next to the "victim" ship, so the pirates can board the other ship.
2007-10-25 16:17:28 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In sailing, heaving to (also heave to) is a way of slowing the boat's forward progress, fixing the helm and foresail position so that the boat doesn't have to be actively steered, thereby allowing the crew to attend other tasks.
2007-10-25 23:13:41 · answer #2 · answered by jon_mac_usa_007 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's heave-ho. It means to jump ship. To. bail.
2007-10-25 23:13:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It can mean to lift or to vomit.
2007-10-25 23:15:18 · answer #4 · answered by Jamerican Steve 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋