Definition of furl

The word "furl" has its origins in medieval English and was initially usedin the context of military service. In the 14th century, the term referred to the action of "furlong," which meant "to roll up" and was used to describe the process of folding a sail to make it easier to store. As military campaigns became longer, soldiers needed to leave the battlefield for various reasons, such as illness, injury, or shortage of resources. The practice of sending soldiers home, or "furloughing" them, evolved during these campaigns. The term "furlough" itself is believed to have originated from the Old English words " furh," which meant "fertile land," and "hlāh," which meant "victory." The concept of a furlough was later extended to include civil servants and workers in certain industries who needed to take time off. In modern usage, the term "furlough" usually refers to a period when employees are temporarily laid off to reduce costs for the company. It is used in various industries, including manufacturing, aviation, and science, and is often used as an alternative to layoffs or terminations during economic downturns or other crises. In some cases, furloughs may require workers to take unpaid leave or accept reduced hours or pay, depending on the specific circumstances. in summary, the word "furl" originated from the medieval English term "furlong," which was used to describe the action of folding a sail. Its use as a military term to describe temporarily sending soldiers home to furlough them led to its broader application in industry and commerce, where it is now commonly used to describe periods of temporary layoffs or reductions in working hours or pay.