a. (and adv.).
† 1. Of or pertaining to the weather. Obs. rare–1.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 61. Any proposition or prognostication (as well touching weatherly events as arbitrary contingents).
2. Naut. Or a sailing vessel: Able to sail close to the wind without drifting to leeward. Also used loosely (see quot. 1904).
1729. Phil. Trans., XXXVI. 57. I proposed to make a Ship work for better to Windward, than it is possible for the most Weatherly one to do at present.
1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, viii. Notwithstanding her weatherly qualities, the heavy cross sea, as she drove into it, headed her off bodily.
1846. G. Warburton, Hochelaga, I. 19. Those stout weatherly boats crowding up to the wharves, have just now returned from fishing for cod.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Weatherly, said of a well-trimmed ship with a clean bottom, when she holds a good wind, and presents such lateral resistance to the water, that she makes but little lee-way while sailing close-hauled.
1886. R. C. Leslie, Sea Painter’s Log, 226. For downright weatherly qualities, lead and leverage will beat beam without depth.
1904. Dixon Kemp’s Yacht & Boat Sailing, 649/2. Weatherly, the quality of hanging to windward well or holding a good wind. This term is often improperly used to denote good behaviour in a sea way or in bad weather.
† 3. adv. To the windward. Obs. rare–1.
1708. Lond. Gaz., No. 4422/2. Three of their Ships being almost as far Weatherly as we were.
