furl Copy link • furl: Phr.: to f. one's canvass, vela contrahere (often used in fig. sense, of wise caution), Hor. Od. 2, 10, extr. (v. Mitsch. ad l.): Cic. Att. 1, 16, 1; vela subducere (prep. to battle), Auct. B. Alex. 45; legere, Virg. G. 1, 373: velum antennis subnectere, Ov. M. 11, 483.