flying jib

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. the outer or outermost of two or more jibs, set well above the jib boom.

---

flying jib British  

noun

1. the jib set furthest forward or outboard on a vessel with two or more jibs

---

Etymology

Origin of flying jib

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

"Haul down the flying jib: take the bonnet off the jib, and put a reef in her," came the strong swift sentences.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 15, No. 87, March, 1875 by Various

Then: Crack! from aloft, and crack! went the jibboom, and the flying jib was off and away to leeward like a bat.

From Dry Fish and Wet Tales from a Norwegian Seaport by Nilsen, Anthon Bernhard Elias

The fore-staysail and jib had been stowed in time, and the flying jib had been blown away, so that the fore-topsail was the only sail set.

From Peter Trawl The Adventures of a Whaler by Durden, James

But his sheets and halyards had been so shot away that not a sail could be set, except the flying jib.

From The Second War with England, Vol. 2 of 2 by Headley, Joel Tyler

Seamen were stationed at all the yard-arms, flying jib, and driver booms, with blue-lights, which were fired simultaneously with the discharge of a dozen rockets, and the great gun of a royal salute.

From Borneo and the Indian Archipelago with drawings of costume and scenery by Marryat, Frank