spanker

[ spang-ker ]

/ ˈspæŋ kər /

noun

Nautical.

a fore-and-aft sail on the aftermost lower mast of a sailing vessel having three or more masts.
a designation given to the mast abaft a mizzenmast, usually the aftermost mast in any vessel.

Informal. a smartly moving person or animal, especially a fast horse.

Chiefly New England. something remarkably fine.

adjective Nautical.

of or relating to a spanker mast or its rigging.

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Question 1 of 10

Which of the options below is the best punctuation for the sentence? It__s your turn to pick the movie __ but your sister gets to pick the board game we _ re going to play.

Its your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie but your sister gets to pick the board game were going to play.

It’s your turn to pick the movie, but your sister gets to pick the board game we’re going to play.

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Origin of spanker

First recorded in 1745–55; akin to spanking

Words nearby spanker

spanish west african, spanish windlass, spanish-american, spanish-american war, spank, spanker, spanking, spanner, spanrail, spanspek, spansule

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for spanker

Spanker received his congratulations with a loud laugh, and a hearty shake of the hand.
Tales And Novels, Volume 1 (of 10)|Maria Edgeworth
The British built at least one sail-propelled battery, the Spanker, in 1794.
Smithsonian Institution - United States National Museum - Bulletin 240|Anonymous
It was all that was left of Spanker—the stick with which he had been tied.
White Fang|Jack London
The writer has many times seen a fellow who travelled the country, nicknamed the Spanker.
The Funny Side of Physic|A. D. Crabtre

Spanker, spang′kėr, n. the after-sail of a ship or barque, so called from its flapping in the breeze.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for spanker

spanker

/ (ˈspæŋkə) /

noun

nautical a fore-and-aft sail or a mast that is aftermost in a sailing vessel

informal a person or animal that moves at a quick smart pace

informal something outstandingly fine or large

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