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.

---

Example Sentences

"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)

Mac shoved up the answering pennant, roused the other drowsy signaller, and elicited the information that the New Zealand ships would anchor 1 1/2 miles S.S.E. of Ras Marshag at 17.50.

From The Tale of a Trooper by Mackenzie, Clutha N. (Clutha Nantes)

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

From The Captain of the Kansas by Tracy, Louis

Poop-deck obeyed; and while the main-topsail-yard slowly arose to place under the efforts of the rest, Seldom himself ran up the answering pennant, and then the repetition of the steamer's last message: "All right."

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

Now, hoist the answering pennant; though, I suppose we’ll have to wait another month of Sundays for their longitude.

From Crown and Anchor Under the Pen'ant by Greene, John B.