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jack staff

American  

noun

  1. a flagstaff at the bow of a vessel, on which a jack is flown.

Etymology

Origin of jack staff

First recorded in 1685–95

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.

Now and then a grinding jerk of the anchor chain sent a vibrating shudder from stem to jack staff.

From Project Gutenberg

Stirling pointed the rifle toward the jack staff and the stern of the ship.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.