topsail

See also: Topsail

English

Etymology

From Middle English topsail, topsayl, topseyle, topsaill, equivalent to top +‎ sail.

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈtɑp.seɪl/, /ˈtɑp.səl/
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈtɒp.seɪl/, /ˈtɒp.səl/
  • Audio (UK):(file)

Noun

topsail (plural topsails)

  1. (nautical) A sail or either of the two sails rigged just above the course sail and supported by the topmast on a square-rigged sailing ship.
  2. (nautical) In a fore-and-aft-rigged sailing boat, the sail that is set above the gaff at the top part of the mast.

Derived terms

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