foresail

American  

[fawr-seyl, fohr-, fawr-suhl, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌseɪl, ˈfoʊr-, ˈfɔr səl, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

Nautical.

1. the lowermost sail on a foremast.

2. the staysail or jib, set immediately forward of the mainmast of a sloop, cutter, knockabout, yawl, ketch, or dandy.

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foresail British  

/ ˈfɔːˌseɪl, ˈfɔːsəl /

noun

1. the aftermost headsail of a fore-and-aft rigged vessel

2. the lowest sail set on the foremast of a square-rigged vessel

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Etymology

Origin of foresail

First recorded in 1475–85; fore- + sail

Example Sentences

There is the jib tussle, then the jib, then the staysail, then the foresail, then the mainsail.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2017

Jib, a triangular foresail used when sailing into or across the wind.

From Time Magazine Archive

Spinnaker, a huge, billowing foresail used for sailing downwind.

From Time Magazine Archive

Six minutes later, the foremast was split to the deck and carried the foresail and headsail down with it.

From Time Magazine Archive

Stuart grabbed the foresail boom and pulled with all his might.

From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White