spanker

American  

[spang-ker] / ˈspæŋ kər /

noun

1. Nautical.

   1. a fore-and-aft sail on the aftermost lower mast of a sailing vessel having three or more masts.

   2. a designation given to the mast abaft a mizzenmast, usually the aftermost mast in any vessel.

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

3. Chiefly New England. something remarkably fine.

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adjective

Nautical.

1. of or relating to a spanker mast or its rigging.

spanker British  

/ ˈspæŋkə /

noun

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

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

3. informal something outstandingly fine or large

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Etymology

Origin of spanker

First recorded in 1745–55; akin to spanking

Example Sentences

“Let’s set the spanker, I just want to see what happens!” calls the skipper, excited like a Christmas-morning child.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2016

And, yes, a spanker of behinds when the owners of said behinds got too outrageously out of line.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2014

In a few moments the yacht was stripped to her two topsails, spanker, and jib.

From Captain Kyd, Vol. II or, The Wizard of the Sea by Ingraham, Jonathon Holt

Turned out to be Algiers; hauled down his main yard; ran out the topgallantsail spanker, and bore down on the harbour.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, November 25, 1893 by Various

Mizzen, Mizen, miz′n, n. in a three-masted vessel, the hindmost of the fore-and-aft sails: the spanker or driver.—adj. belonging to the mizzen: nearest the stern.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various