answering pennant

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. one of the flags of the International Code of Signals, a pennant of three red and two white vertical stripes, flown at the dip while a message is being interpreted and close up when it is understood.

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Example Sentences

At six A.M. he signalled, "All the enemy's ships except two are on shore," but this extracted from drowsy Gambier no other response than the answering pennant.

From Deeds that Won the Empire Historic Battle Scenes by Fitchett, W. H. (William Henry)

Hoist the ship's answering pennant from the main yard swung out to starboard.

From The Captain of the Kansas by Tracy, Louis

"Pull down the number and show the answering pennant again," said Poop-deck; "and let me see that signal-book."

From "Where Angels Fear to Tread" and Other Stories of the Sea by Robertson, Morgan

"She has her answering pennant flying," he exclaimed, letting fall his glass to accost me, and he called to the second mate to haul down our signal.

From A Marriage at Sea by Russell, W. Clark (William Clark)

An instant later she was leaning back in her seat, smilingly dipping an answering pennant to the frenzied signals of her rapidly approaching swain.

From "Pip" A Romance of Youth by Hay, Ian