forestaysail

American  

[fawr-stey-seyl, fohr-, fawr-stey-suhl, fohr-] / ˌfɔrˈsteɪˌseɪl, ˌfoʊr-, ˌfɔrˈsteɪ səl, ˌfoʊr- /

noun

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

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forestaysail British  

/ fɔːˈsteɪˌseɪl, fɔːˈsteɪsəl /

noun

1. nautical the triangular headsail set aftermost on a vessel

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Etymology

Origin of forestaysail

First recorded in 1735–45; forestay + sail

Example Sentences

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

In the meanwhile the schooner lay to with backed forestaysail, tumbling wildly on a dim, grey sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Blown away fore lower topsail, forestaysail, and carried away lifts to staysail.

From Project Gutenberg