skysail

[ skahy-seyl; Nautical skahy-suhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Nautical.

(in a square-rigged vessel) a light square sail next above the royal.
a triangular sail set on a stay between the fore and main trucks of a racing schooner.

skysail

/ ˈskaɪˌseɪl /

Origin of skysail¹

First recorded in 1820–30; sky + sail

Near to starboard was a white ship, fully rigged, standing towards the island with royals set, and even a towering main skysail.

"It is the highest sail we set on the foremast, though larger vessels have a royal above that, then a skysail," I replied.

After my heroic feat in loosing the main-skysail, the mate entertained good hopes of my becoming a rare mariner.

In these, the topgallant, royal and skysail masts are all one stick.

If there is not a standing skysail, the quarter-blocks on the royal yard will be single.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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