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:
Used aboard yachts for bending on the gaff topsail halliards.
From Boy Scouts Handbook The First Edition, 1911 by Boy Scouts of America
"Maybe," said 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 Stories of Authors, British and American by Edwin Watts Chubb
The wind was light, and we spread more canvas than she did, having royals and sky-sails fore and aft, and ten studding-sails; while she, being an hermaphrodite brig, had only a gaff topsail aft.
From Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana
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
The jib, mainsail, and gaff topsail are hauled up to their very tautest; finally, the cable is slipped, and then old Sandy for the first time looks around.
From Lippincott's Magazine, October 1885 by Various
Away aloft, one hand, and loose the gaff-topsail!
From The Pirate Slaver A Story of the West African Coast by William Heysham Overend
Half an hour later we took in the fore topsail and the main gaff-topsail, so that nothing but our fore and aft sails remained.
From Up the River or, Yachting on the Mississippi by Oliver Optic
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
The spar held on for a minute, but a stronger puff of wind filling the sail, with a loud crash it gave way, and down came the gaff-topsail and square-topsail.
From The Rival Crusoes by William Henry Giles Kingston
As it got dark Tom wisely took in the gaff-topsail and jib, while he kept a hand always ready to lower the mainsail, should a sudden squall strike the boat.
From The Three Admirals by J.R. Wells
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