gybe

Meanings

1. To shift a fore-and-aft sail from one side of a sailing vessel to the other, while sailing before the wind.
2. Of a fore-and-aft sail or its boom: to shift, often forcefully and suddenly, from one side of a sailing vessel to the other.
3. Generally of a small sailing vessel: to change tack with the wind crossing behind the vessel.
4. Often as gybe at: to balk, hesitate, or vacillate when faced with a course of action, plan, or proposal.

1. The act of gybing.
2. A sudden shift of a sail's angle, or a sudden change in the direction that a vessel is sailing in.
3. A manoeuvre in which the stern of a sailing vessel crosses the wind, typically resulting in the forceful and sudden sweep of the boom from one side of the vessel to the other.
4. A sudden change in approach or direction; vacillation.

1. Alternative spelling of jibe (“taunt”).

1. Alternative spelling of jibe (“taunt”).

Etymology

Probably from Dutch gijben (obsolete), gijpen; cognate with Danish gibbe, German gieben, giepen, Swedish gipa, gippa. The noun is derived from the verb; compare Dutch gijb (obsolete), gijp (“act of gybing; a boom”).

Translations