skysail

American  

[skahy-seyl, skahy-suhl] / ˈskaɪˌseɪl, ˈskaɪ səl /

noun

Nautical.

1. (in a square-rigged vessel) a light square sail next above the royal.

2. a triangular sail set on a stay between the fore and main trucks of a racing schooner.

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skysail British  

/ ˈskaɪˌseɪl /

noun

1. a square sail set above the royal on a square-rigger

2. a triangular sail set between the trucks of a racing schooner

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Etymology

Origin of skysail

First recorded in 1820–30; sky + sail

Example Sentences

But seldom had he dared dream of touching this uppermost skysail of influence.

From Time Magazine Archive

Everything was confusion; the captain, springing into the first boat, bade his men follow, leaving, beside Harry, but two worthless fellows, who hardly knew a skysail from a jib-sheet, in charge of the ship.

From Natalie A Gem Among the Sea-Weeds by Vale, Ferna

A triangular sail set above the skysail; if square it would be a moonsail, and if set above that, a star-gazer, &c.

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

“I think so,” answered Sibylla, compressing her lips, grasping the spokes tightly, and concentrating her whole attention upon the weather leach of the skysail.

From The Missing Merchantman by Overend, William Heysham

I went to New York to see the Sea Witch launched, and she's the tallest vessel afloat, with three standing skysail yards and, ringtail and water sails.

From Java Head by Hergesheimer, Joseph