maintop

American

[mayn-top] / ˈmeɪnˌtɒp /

noun

Nautical.

a platform at the head of the lower mainmast.

maintop British

/ ˈmeɪnˌtɒp /

noun

a top or platform at the head of the mainmast

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of maintop

First recorded in 1475–85; main ¹ + top ¹

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:

maintop

The only danger was that I might be picked off by musketeers in the maintop or crosstrees, the foremast itself protecting me from any shots from for'ard.

From A Lad of Grit A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea in Restoration Times by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

"I reckon he's homesick fer his ma," remarked Billy Clumpblock, the captain of the maintop.

From Woven with the Ship A Novel of 1865 by Cyrus Townsend Brady

For reply, he made a swift motion towards the Sutherland's maintop shrouds, and almost instantly lanterns showed in them.

From Old Quebec The Fortress of New France by Claude Glennon Bryan

Carew went up into the maintop with a telescope, and after having closely examined the features of the shore, descended on deck again.

From A Desperate Voyage by Edward Frederick Knight

Yes, you," continued my host with vehemence; "your pity is for the admiral, and does not descend to the captain of the maintop.

From Lost Sir Massingberd, v. 1/2 A Romance of Real Life by James Payn

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