(n.) A rope fastened near the middle of the leech or perpendicular edge of the square sails, by subordinate ropes, called bridles, and used to keep the weather edge of the sail tight forward, when the ship is closehauled.
Example Sentences:
(1) This article reviews the technique of tying three knots that are used by orthopaedic surgeons when treating a patient in skeletal traction--the traction knot, the bowline, and the cow hitch.
(2) The advantages of the bowline and the cow hitch over the traction knot are also discussed.