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:
Papa, on this, ordered the gaff topsail to be taken in, and the jib shifted.
From A Yacht Voyage Round England by William Henry Giles Kingston
It was a fine, clear, frosty morning, and the Badger quickly sent up his gaff topsail and began to overhaul the other, so that by nine o'clock the two vessels were only a mile apart.
From King's Cutters and Smugglers 1700-1855 by E. Keble (Edward Keble) Chatterton
Then the creature spread her wings like a bird—mainsail and gaff topsail, staysail and jib—leaped away to leeward, and seemed actually to bound over the waves.
From Malcolm by George MacDonald
The big gaff topsail was next hauled down and carefully stowed away, and finally the mainsail was lowered, stowed, and the coat put over it.
From Dick Leslie's Luck A Story of Shipwreck and Adventure by Harold Piffard
The cutter at the time was reefed, but when she saw the lugger's topsail going up she shook out her reefs and set her gaff topsail.
From King's Cutters and Smugglers 1700-1855 by E. Keble (Edward Keble) Chatterton
The line, in the shape of the gaff-topsail halliard-fall, hastily unrove for the occasion, was soon forthcoming, and the hook, being at last baited to the second mate’s satisfaction, bent on to the chain.
From The Voyage of the Aurora by Harry Collingwood
“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
And raising me in his arms he laid me on the folds of the gaff-topsail, which lay upon the deck near the tiller.
From The Coral Island by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne
At the same time we sighted the square topsails of a Spanish merchantman, and, a little later, the gaff-topsail of a sloop.
From A Volunteer with Pike The True Narrative of One Dr. John Robinson and of His Love for the Fair Señorita Vallois by Robert Ames Bennet
The main gaff-topsail was taken in, and then the schooner had only her jib, foresail, and mainsail.
From Dikes and Ditches Young America in Holland and Belguim by Oliver Optic
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