SHEET

n. 1 a rope or chain attached to the lower corner of a sail for securing or controlling it. 2 (in pl.) the space at the bow or stern of an open boat. øflowing sheets sheets eased for free movement in the wind. sheet anchor 1 a second anchor for use in emergencies. 2 a person or thing depended on in the last resort. sheet bend a method of temporarily fastening one rope through the loop of another. [ME f. OE sceata, ON skaut (as SHEET(1))]