gaff topsail
noun
a jib-headed fore-and-aft sail set above a gaff.
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gaff topsail
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gaff-topsail
gaff-topsailnouna sail set above a gaffsail
gaff topsail
American
[gaf top-seyl, top-suhl]
/ ˈgæf ˈtɒpˌseɪl, ˈtɒpˌsəl /
noun
Nautical.
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Also called fore-and-aft topsail. a jib-headed fore-and-aft sail set above a gaff.
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a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail set above the spanker of a bark, between the gaff of the spanker and an upper gaff.
gaff-topsail
British
noun
Etymology
Origin of gaff topsail
First recorded in 1785–95
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.
See Examples For:
The wind was light, and we spread more canvas than she did, having royals and sky-sails fore and aft, and ten studding-sails; while she, being an hermaphrodite brig, had only a gaff topsail, aft.
From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry
It was a fine, clear, frosty morning, and the Badger quickly sent up his gaff topsail and began to overhaul the other, so that by nine o'clock the two vessels were only a mile apart.
From King's Cutters and Smugglers 1700-1855 by Chatterton, E. Keble (Edward Keble)
The cutter at the time was reefed, but when she saw the lugger's topsail going up she shook out her reefs and set her gaff topsail.
From King's Cutters and Smugglers 1700-1855 by Chatterton, E. Keble (Edward Keble)
Used aboard yachts for bending on the gaff topsail halliards.
From Boy Scouts Handbook The First Edition, 1911 by Boy Scouts of America
The jib, mainsail, and gaff topsail are hauled up to their very tautest; finally, the cable is slipped, and then old Sandy for the first time looks around.
From Lippincott's Magazine, October 1885 by Various
The barometer was falling rapidly, in spite of the stiller air, and he had had the royals and outer jib and gaff-topsail stowed.
From Beggars on Horseback by Jesse, F. Tennyson (Fryniwyd Tennyson)
The last order was to set the main gaff-topsail; and then we had all sail on.
From Up the River or, Yachting on the Mississippi by Optic, Oliver
Two partly seen figures were busy bending on a gaff-topsail about the foot of her foremast, and Wheelock turned as one of them came slouching aft when the sail had been sent aloft.
From Thrice Armed by Bindloss, Harold
"Blow, sweet breeze," said D——, half to himself, half aloud; and casting his eyes, alternately from the flying jib and foresail to the swelling gaff-topsail, stooped down and looked under the boom at the land.
From A Yacht Voyage to Norway, Denmark, and Sweden 2nd edition by Ross, William A.
A gaff-topsail, if triangular and set on a yard, is lateen.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
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.
