Related Searches
on Ask.com
spinnaker - 4 dictionary results
spin⋅na⋅ker
[spin-uh-ker] 
–noun Nautical.
| a large, usually triangular sail carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind or when the wind is abaft the beam. |
Origin:
1865–70; said to be alter. of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail
1865–70; said to be alter. of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To spinnaker
| spin·na·ker (spĭn'ə-kər) n. A large triangular sail set on a spar that swings out opposite the mainsail, used on yachts when running before the wind. [Perhaps ultimately from Sphinx, name of the first yacht to use such a sail, or spin, to move rapidly (variant of Scots spene, to run before the wind; see spindrift).] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Spinnaker
Spin"na*ker\, n. (Naut.) A large triangular sail set upon a boom, -- used when running before the wind.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
spinnaker
"large triangular sail," 1866, either a derivative of spin in the sense of "go rapidly" or a corrupt pronunciation of Sphinx, which was the name of the first yacht known to carry this type of sail.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
