Spanish Conversation · Level 142
45 words
Spanish word
orzar
Pronunciation
IPA/oɾˈθaɾ/
Meaning
- verbhead up
Example
El velero empezó a orzar para acercarse al viento.
The sailboat began to head up to get closer to the wind.
More examples
En términos sencillos, orzar es acercar la proa al barlovento.
In simple terms, to head up is to bring the bow toward windward.
Core concept
A sailboat turning its bow up into the wind.
Similar words
ceñir: Sails are drawn close to the centerline and tightened so the boat sails close-hauled.
virar: Helm is steered to rotate the vessel and change its heading.
trimar: Fine adjustments to sail trim and tension improve speed, balance, and control.
Definition in Spanish
Orientar la proa hacia el viento para que la embarcación navegue en rumbo más próximo a éste.
Word origin
Originating in Iberian seafaring vocabulary and cognate with Portuguese and Galician orçar, the term appears in medieval records with the same windward steering sense.
Usage tips
- The z in orzar is pronounced like English th in Spain and like s in most of Latin America, which may affect how the word sounds to English speakers.
Other meanings
- steer to windwardverb
- bring to windwardverb