mizzen
or miz·en
[ miz-uhn ]
/ ˈmɪz ən /
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noun
a fore-and-aft sail set on a mizzenmast.Compare crossjack, spanker (def. 1a).
adjective
of or relating to a mizzenmast.
noting a sail, yard, boom, etc., or any rigging belonging to a mizzen lower mast or to some upper mast of a mizzenmast.
noting any stay running aft and upward to the head of a mizzen lower mast or some specified upper mast of a mizzenmast: mizzen topmast stay.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of mizzen
1375–1425; late Middle English meson, mesan, probably <Italian mezzana
Words nearby mizzen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for mizzen
British Dictionary definitions for mizzen
mizzen
mizen
nautical
noun
a sail set on a mizzenmast
short for mizzenmast
adjective
of or relating to any kind of gear used with a mizzenmasta mizzen staysail
Word Origin for mizzen
C15: from French misaine, from Italian mezzana, mezzano middle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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