The Collaborative International Dictionary
Capful \Cap"ful\, n.; pl. Capfuls. As much as will fill a cap. [1913 Webster] +PJC
A capful of wind (Naut.), a light puff of wind. [1913 Webster] ||
Usage examples of "a capful of wind".
I warrant you were frightened, weren't you, last night, when it blew but a capful of wind?
I warrant you were frighted, wa'n't you, last night, when it blew but a capful of wind?
She had always been crank and overmasted, so that she lay down in a capful of wind.
Not your ordinary prevaricator, who skirts along the coast of truth, keeping ever within sight of the headlands and promontories of probability-whose excursions are limited to short, fair-weather reaches into the ocean of imagination, and who paddles for port as if the devil were after him whenever a capful of wind threatens a storm of exposure.
This was the first time, apart from practice, that the Worcester had spread her royals and loftier staysails since she came into the Mediterranean - the first time that her present complement had ever done so in more than a capful of wind - and although the fine urgent leeward lean of the ship, the strong rush of water along her side, and the white bow-wave spreading wide lifted Jack's heart, he looked very thoughtful indeed as he watched some of the orders being carried out.