near the wind

1. nautical Into or at a close angle to the direction from which the wind is blowing. We'll be sailing near the wind, so we need to trim the sails in all the way in order to keep the boat moving forward.

2. dated In a risky or dangerous manner. If you keep sailing so near the wind, the police are going to arrest you eventually.

sail near the wind

1. nautical To sail in the direction from which the wind is blowing. We should be sailing near the wind in conditions like this.

2. dated To act or progress in a risky or dangerous manner. If you keep sailing so near the wind, the police are going to arrest you eventually.

near the wind

1. Nautical Close to the wind.

2. Close to danger.

See also: near, wind

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

See also:

References in periodicals archive

Overall, the number of breeding ducks using wetlands near the wind farms was 20 percent lower than in wetlands with no wind development nearby.

Killing them softly: earth friendly may not be fowl friendly. While wind farms near breeding grounds don't kill ducks directly, they do affect nesting success

So STG and Northland Services landed a barge on a beach near the wind turbine site and offloaded a crane and the turbine parts there.

The importance of cranes in construction: operating in tough conditions, enjoying the work

The Oregon naval facility, near the wind turbine site, tests unmanned drones and other electronic weaponry.

China Firm Sues Obama Over Blocked US Wind Farm Deal

near the wind frayed jewel of sunset that rolls will out like the

Preparing the Altar

The retired couple live near the wind turbines at Nissan - and it's one of the reasons they regularly head for the hills.

'We've planted 800 trees to screen caravans due to planning rules - but there are no restrictions on turbines you can see for miles'

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.