fore-topmast

American  

[fawr-top-mast, -mahst, fohr-, fawr-top-muhst, fohr-] / ˌfɔrˈtɒpˌmæst, -ˌmɑst, ˌfoʊr-, ˌfɔrˈtɒp məst, ˌfoʊr- /

noun

1. the spar or section of a pole mast serving as the topmast of a foremast on a ship.

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fore-topmast British  

/ fɔːˈtɒpməst, fɔːˈtɒpˌmɑːst /

noun

1. nautical a mast stepped above a foremast

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Etymology

Origin of fore-topmast

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

As for the gales of wind, they were the merest flea-bites in creation, though one of them borrowed the brig's fore-topmast, and another walked away with her jib-boom.

From An Old Sailor's Yarns by Ames, N. (Nathaniel)

The former lost her main-topmast, and as she had previously lost her fore-topmast she became totally unmanageable.

From By Conduct and Courage A Story of the Days of Nelson by Rainey, W. (William)

A shell had shattered the fore-topmast, the debris falling athwart the steel canopy protecting the range-finding officers.

From With Beatty off Jutland A Romance of the Great Sea Fight by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

Casting his eyes aloft, he saw, with a pang of grief, that his main-topgallant-mast was gone, and that his fore-topmast was wounded and tottering fearfully at every pitch of the vessel.

From Captain Kyd, Vol. II or, The Wizard of the Sea by Ingraham, Jonathon Holt

To break; as, "That ship has carried away her fore-topmast," i.e. has broken it off.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir