Definition of "heave-to" [heave-to]

• To stop (a seagoing vessel). (verb)
• To back-wind the jib and luff the main to hold a position especially in heavy seas. (verb)

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• "I was still learning my blue-water sailing skills, and he was a big help when I practiced maneuvers that I thought I might need for the future, like learning how to heave-to with a sea anchor or reef sail in a hard blow; necessary skills, but not always exciting."
• "In Sailing Skills we learned how to anchor and how to heave-to."
• "If an Avon overturned, or even if a crew member were thrown overboard there would be no place on this river to heave-to and pick up survivors."