spanker

American  

[spang-ker] / ˈspæŋ kər /

noun

1. Nautical.

   1. a fore-and-aft sail on the aftermost lower mast of a sailing vessel having three or more masts.

   2. a designation given to the mast abaft a mizzenmast, usually the aftermost mast in any vessel.

2. Informal. a smartly moving person or animal, especially a fast horse.

3. Chiefly New England. something remarkably fine.

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adjective

Nautical.

1. of or relating to a spanker mast or its rigging.

spanker British  

/ ˈspæŋkə /

noun

1. nautical a fore-and-aft sail or a mast that is aftermost in a sailing vessel

2. informal a person or animal that moves at a quick smart pace

3. informal something outstandingly fine or large

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Etymology

Origin of spanker

First recorded in 1745–55; akin to spanking

Example Sentences

The case prompted the firing last year of the university's president, Graham Spanker, and head football coach Joe Paterno, record-holder for most wins by a major U.S. college football coach.

From Reuters • Jun. 18, 2012

Spanker, spang′kėr, n. the after-sail of a ship or barque, so called from its flapping in the breeze.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

And Spanker gently took the child from Dan, and laid her there, spreading the other half of the blanket over her.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

The manager, Mr. Spanker, in his fine, off-hand way, asked me to just dump it down carelessly in five or six places over the run, as the contractor would be using it at once.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

It was an elocutionist one, entitled 'Merry-Making Moments, or, Spanker's Wallet of Varieties,' with a portrait of Spanker on the bills opening the wallet with an expression of delight or surprise.

From A Day's Tour A Journey through France and Belgium by Calais, Tournay, Orchies, Douai, Arras, Béthune, Lille, Comines, Ypres, Hazebrouck, Berg by Fitzgerald, Percy Hethrington