sprit

[sprit]
noun Nautical.
a small pole or spar crossing a fore-and-aft sail diagonally from the mast to the upper aftermost corner, serving to extend the sail.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English spret, Old English sprēot; cognate with Dutch, German Spriet; akin to sprout

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World English Dictionary
sprit (sprɪt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
nautical a light spar pivoted at the mast and crossing a fore-and-aft quadrilateral sail diagonally to the peak
 
[Old English spreot; related to Old High German spriuzen to support, Dutch spriet sprit, Norwegian sprӯta]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Sprit is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

sprit
O.E. spreot "pole," originally "a sprout, shoot, branch," from root of sprout. Cognate with M.Du. spriet, M.L.G. spryet, Ger. spriet, N.Fris. sprit.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Employers must be educated to comply with the letter and sprit of the law.
Community leaders nurture entrepreneurial sprit and foster successful partnerships.
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