Sea — Defs

01 n. One of the larger bodies of salt water, less than an ocean, found on the earth's surface; a body of salt water of second rank, generally fo…

1.
One of the larger bodies of salt water, less than an ocean, found on the earth's surface; a body of salt water of second rank, generally forming part of, or connecting with, an ocean or a larger sea; as, the Mediterranean Sea; the Sea of Marmora; the North Sea; the Carribean Sea.
2.
An inland body of water, esp. if large or if salt or brackish; as, the Caspian Sea; the Sea of Aral; sometimes, a small fresh-water lake; as, the Sea of Galilee.
3.
The ocean; the whole body of the salt water which covers a large part of the globe.
“I marvel how the fishes live in the sea.” — Shak.

“Ambiguous between sea and land The river horse and scaly crocodile.” — Milton.
4.
The swell of the ocean or other body of water in a high wind; motion or agitation of the water's surface; also, a single wave; a billow; as, there was a high sea after the storm; the vessel shipped a sea.
5.
A great brazen laver in the temple at Jerusalem; -- so called from its size.(Jewish Antiq.)
“He made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof.” — 2 Chron. iv. 2.
6.
Fig.: Anything resembling the sea in vastness; as, a sea of glory.
“All the space . . . was one sea of heads.” — Macaulay.

Phrases & compounds

At sea — upon the ocean; away from land; figuratively, without landmarks for guidance; lost; at the mercy of circumstances.

At full sea — at the height of flood tide; hence, at the height.

Beyond seas — out of the state, territory, realm, or country.

Half seas over — half drunk.

Heavy sea — a sea in which the waves run high.

Long sea — a sea characterized by the uniform and steady motion of long and extensive waves.

Short sea — a sea in which the waves are short, broken, and irregular, so as to produce a tumbling or jerking motion.

To go to sea — to adopt the calling or occupation of a sailor.