hermaphrodite brig

American  

noun

1. a two-masted sailing vessel, square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft-rigged on the mainmast.

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hermaphrodite brig British  

noun

1. Also called: brigantine.  a sailing vessel with two masts, rigged square on the foremast and fore-and-aft on the aftermast

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Etymology

Origin of hermaphrodite brig

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hermaphrodite brig

The Dolphin was what is termed, in nautical parlance, an "hermaphrodite brig," of about one hundred and fifty tons burden; and had been engaged, for some twelve or fifteen years, in the West India trade.

From Jack in the Forecastle or, Incidents in the Early Life of Hawser Martingale by Sleeper, John Sherburne

Gerrit's got a ship," the other asserted, "not a hermaphrodite brig built like a butter box.

From Java Head by Hergesheimer, Joseph

She sailed out o' N'York for Australia and home by the way of the Chile ports and the Horn—a hermaphrodite brig she was; and—she—could—sail!

From Cap'n Abe, Storekeeper by Cooper, James A.

"Nye's off too," said the captain to the mate; and looking astern, we could just see the little hermaphrodite brig under sail standing after us.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry

As she drew nearer, she proved to be an ordinary-looking hermaphrodite brig, standing south-south-east; and probably bound out, from the Northern States, to the West Indies; and was just the thing we wished to see.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry