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

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

From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White

Every jib and forestaysail on board having now been torn out, the brig remained under close-reefed foretopsail, spencer, and spanker, and did little but drift to leeward.

From Overland by De Forest, J. W. (John William)

On this they spread a spare forestaysail which they dug from the sail locker.

From The Adventure Club Afloat by Barbour, Ralph Henry

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

From Wild Justice: Stories of the South Seas by Osbourne, Lloyd

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 Thrice Armed by Bindloss, Harold