main-topsail

American  

[meyn-top-seyl, meyn-top-suhl] / ˌmeɪnˈtɒpˌseɪl, ˌmeɪnˈtɒp səl /

noun

Nautical.

1. a topsail set on the mainmast.

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Etymology

Origin of main-topsail

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

The northerly breeze, which we had worked with since leaving Port Henry, increased rapidly to a hard gale, and by 8 P.M. we were reduced to the close-reefed main-topsail and reefed foresail.

From Project Gutenberg

Just then we were making fourteen knots, with only a foresail, a fore-topsail, and main-topsail, the latter two close-reefed.

From Project Gutenberg

The stranger at once hauled up his courses, and backed his main-topsail.

From Project Gutenberg

Had there been the slightest chance of capturing the runaways the Captain would have backed the main-topsail, hove the ship to, and lowered the quarter-boat.

From Project Gutenberg

So he had the ship made snug under close-reefed main-topsail, a storm jib, and a rag of spanker.

From Project Gutenberg