gaff topsail
noun
a jib-headed fore-and-aft sail set above a gaff.
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gaff topsail
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gaff-topsail
gaff-topsailnouna sail set above a gaffsail
gaff topsail
American
[gaf top-sayl, top-suhl]
/ ˈgæf ˈtɒpˌseɪl, ˈtɒpˌsəl /
noun
Nautical.
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Also called fore-and-aft topsail. a jib-headed fore-and-aft sail set above a gaff.
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a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail set above the spanker of a bark, between the gaff of the spanker and an upper gaff.
gaff-topsail
British
noun
Etymology
Origin of gaff topsail
First recorded in 1785–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The moment the boat left the side Brabant set the gaff topsail and square-sail, and headed the Loelia towards the north end of the island.
From The Trader's Wife 1901 by Louis Becke
A belt of smoky red spread swiftly along the horizon, he heard the high gaff topsail flap, booms rattled and then the yacht got quiet.
From Wyndham's Pal by Harold Bindloss
"Maybe," continued the mate, "she will soon have too much breeze; that gaff topsail is foolish in a boat with no deck and no sailor on board."
From Florence and Northern Tuscany with Genoa With Sixteen Illustrations In Colour By William Parkinson And Sixteen Other Illustrations, Second Edition by Edward Hutton
"Has this sail been kept on the yacht all night?" said I, looking up at the wide spread of mainsail and gaff topsail.
From A Marriage at Sea by W. Clark (William Clark) Russell
Used aboard yachts for bending on the gaff topsail halliards.
From Boy Scouts Handbook The First Edition, 1911 by Boy Scouts of America
A gaff-topsail, if triangular and set on a yard, is lateen.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher
Levi soon found that the Caribbee was running away from him; but she carried a main gaff-topsail and a staysail.
From Freaks of Fortune or, Half Round the World by Oliver Optic
Each yacht carried her large gaff-topsail and the balloon-jib.
From The Yacht Club or The Young Boat-Builder by Oliver Optic
In the meantime the crew had come aft to take in the mainsail and gaff-topsail.
From Hurricane Hurry by William Henry Giles Kingston
“Then we’ll take in the gaff-topsail and mizzen-topmast staysail as well,” said George.
From The Voyage of the Aurora by Harry Collingwood
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