royal mast

American  

Or royalmast

noun

Nautical.

1. a mast situated immediately above, and generally formed as a single spar with, a topgallant mast.

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Etymology

Origin of royal mast

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Masts: The masts of a full-rigged three-masted ship are the following: Fore-mast, topmast, topgallant-mast, royal mast.

From Anson's Voyage Round the World The Text Reduced by Household, H. W.

I had traced out bit by bit, until now I could clearly see the jackstay, running along the top of the royal mast; and, you know, the royal itself was set.

From The Ghost Pirates by Hodgson, William Hope

And thus, with one hand clinging round the royal mast, Ahab gazed abroad upon the sea for miles and miles,—ahead astern, this side, and that,—within the wide expanded circle commanded at so great a height.

From Moby Dick: or, the White Whale by Melville, Herman

The gentleman had the air of a military man: short, erect as a royal mast, with plenty of whiskers and moustache, though he wore his chin cropped.

From The Honour of the Flag by Russell, W. Clark (William Clark)

And thus, with one hand clinging round the royal mast, Ahab gazed abroad upon the sea for miles and miles,—ahead, astern, this side, and that,—within the wide expanded circle commanded at so great a height.

From Moby Dick, or, the whale by Melville, Herman