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dismast

[dis-mast, -mahst]
verb (used with object)
  1. to deprive (a ship) of masts; break off the masts of.
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Origin of dismast

First recorded in 1740–50; dis-1 + mast1
Related formsdis·mast·ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for dismast

Historical Examples

  • From the heavy loss suffered in our ships, it may be concluded that in this battle the Dutch fired less to dismast than to kill.

    A Short History of the Royal Navy 1217 to 1688

    David Hannay

  • So I was busy,—but managed to dismast the hantu prau and wrap it up in matting, so that it went aboard with the plunder.

British Dictionary definitions for dismast

dismast

verb
  1. (tr) to break off the mast or masts of (a sailing vessel)
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Derived Formsdismastment, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dismast

v.

1747, from dis- + mast (n.1). Related: Dismasted; dismasting.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper