topsail

[ top-seyl; Nautical top-suhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Nautical.

a sail, or either of a pair of sails, set immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast.

topsail

/ ˈtɒpsəl; ˈtɒpˌseɪl /

Origin of topsail¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, topsail is from the Middle English word topseil. See top ¹, sail

Moreover, although she carried an enormous club-topsail and a mainsail of big area, she heeled over the least of any of the boats.

In the 'Vigilant,' the jackyarder was set most cleverly over the jibheaded topsail when running back in the final race.

She might well have carried her jackyard topsail going west, and certainly wanted it, coming back with sheets off.

A broad reach on starboard followed, 'Vigilant' setting her balloon jib-topsail very smartly.

At 2.50 it broke up and revealed that favourite sail in America a balloon jib-topsail, and a rare good puller it is.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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