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zarpar

to set sail

verb sar-PAHR Rare
Travel & Places Geography

Usage Note

Zarpar is specifically nautical — a ship zarpa when it leaves port and raises anchor. It is not used for aircraft or land vehicles. The noun zarpa also means an animal's claw, though the two words are unrelated in origin. In figurative speech zarpar can humorously describe someone abruptly leaving a place.

Examples

"El barco zarpó del puerto al amanecer."

Natural Translation

The ship set sail from the port at dawn.

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