forestaysail

[fawr-stey-seyl, fohr-, fawr-stey-suhl, fohr-]

noun

1. a triangular sail set on a forestay; the innermost headsail of a vessel.

forestaysail

/ fɔːˈsteɪˌseɪl, fɔːˈsteɪsəl /

noun

1. nautical the triangular headsail set aftermost on a vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of forestaysail¹

First recorded in 1735–45; forestay + sail

Example Sentences

Stuart jumped for the halyards, and the jib and the forestaysail came rippling down.

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Light engulfed the flying jib, the forestaysail.

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So they got the canvas on her, forestaysail, gaff-headed foresail, mainstaysail, and a blackened three-cornered strip abaft the mainmast, and the skipper felt a trifle easier when he found that he could steer her.

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"Stations, wear ship! hard up with the helm! run up the forestaysail! square away the afteryards!"

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Then she went forward and did the same to the forestaysail.

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