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sheet

Nautical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A rope attached to the lower corner of a sail, used to control its angle to the wind.

Detailed Definition
The sheet is the working rope that trims the sail, and in poetry it becomes an image of adjustment, responsiveness, and the fine-tuning of one's course to prevailing forces. To "sheet home" is to set the sail fully, implying commitment and the embrace of a chosen direction. Poets use the sheet to discuss the art of yielding—of bending to the wind without breaking—while still maintaining control. Its constant need for attention reflects the vigilance required in both seamanship and moral life, and its failure (a parted sheet) often signals chaos and loss of agency.
Example
Example in poetry:
The sheet in poetry becomes an image of adjustment, responsiveness, and the fine-tuning of one’s course to prevailing forces.; To “sheet home” is to set the sail fully, implying commitment and the embrace of a chosen direction.; Poets use the sheet to discuss the art of yielding—of bending to the wind without breaking—while still maintaining control.; Its constant need for attention reflects the vigilance required in both seamanship and moral life.; A parted sheet often signals chaos and loss of agency.; The sheet is a rope attached to the lower corner of a sail, used to control its angle to the wind.
Additional Notes
The sheet is a rope attached to the lower corner of a sail, used to control its angle to the wind. In poetry, it becomes a powerful image of adjustment, responsiveness, and the fine-tuning of one's course to prevailing forces. To "sheet home" is to set the sail fully, implying commitment and the embrace of a chosen direction. Poets use the sheet to discuss the art of yielding—of bending to the wind without breaking—while still maintaining control. Its constant need for attention reflects the vigilance required in both seamanship and moral life. A parted sheet signals chaos and a loss of agency.
Also Known As
Rope line mainsheet jib sheet sail
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