lay an anchor to the windward

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb

lay an anchor to the windward (third-person singular simple present lays an anchor to the windward, present participle laying an anchor to the windward, simple past and past participle laid an anchor to the windward)

1. (idiomatic, dated) To adopt precautionary or anticipatory measures for success or security.

Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
(See the entry for “lay an anchor to the windward”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.)