trysail

[ trahy-seyl; Nautical trahy-suhl ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a triangular or quadrilateral sail having its luff hooped or otherwise bent to a mast, used for lying to or keeping a vessel headed into the wind; spencer.

trysail

/ ˈtraɪˌseɪl; ˈtraɪsəl /

noun

1. a small fore-and-aft sail, triangular or square, set on the mainmast of a sailing vessel in foul weather to help keep her head to the wind Also calledstorm trysail

Word History and Origins

Origin of trysail¹

First recorded in 1760–70; try + sail

Example Sentences

Her three topmasts were housed, and she was hove-to under the lee clew of her close-reefed topsail and a small storm-trysail.

From Project Gutenberg

A snow was a small vessel like a brig except for having a supplementary third, or trysail, mast.

From Project Gutenberg

He now gave the word to set the trysail; and the mainsail being stowed, it was hoisted in its stead.

From Project Gutenberg

Ten minutes' work and it was securely fastened and its cover on; two reefs were put in the trysail.

From Project Gutenberg

In proof of that we could see back behind us where the Nannie O, under her trysail, was almost holding her own.

From Project Gutenberg