foresail

[ fawr-seyl, fohr-; Nautical fawr-suhl, fohr- ]

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.

foresail

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of foresail¹

First recorded in 1475–85; fore- + sail

Example Sentences

The two were under the same canvas, each with jibheader over single-reef mainsails, foresail, and jib.

From Project Gutenberg

The captain got his glass, and climbed up to the gaff of the foresail.

From Project Gutenberg

We kept the foresail and the jib set, and jogged on, doubling amid the ice.

From Project Gutenberg

The mainsail was set to a chorus like the crying of sea fowl and the foresail and jib.

From Project Gutenberg

With a run the foresail and mainsail were lowered and furled.

From Project Gutenberg