vela

sail

noun VEH-lah Rare

Origin: From Latin vela, plural of velum (cloth, sail).

Also means

sailing (sport)

Usage Note

Vela means a sail on a boat and also the sport of sailing: fare vela (to sail), barca a vela (sailboat). The plural le vele is regular. Spiegare le vele (literally 'to unfurl the sails') is a common Italian idiom meaning to set off or to spread one's wings. Do not confuse with velo (veil, m).

Examples

"Il vento gonfiava le vele della barca."

Natural Translation

The wind filled the sails of the boat.

Literal Translation

The wind inflated the sails of-the boat.

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