spinnaker
[ spin-uh-ker ]
/ ˈspɪn ə kər /
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noun Nautical.
a large, usually triangular sail carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind or when the wind is abaft the beam.
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Origin of spinnaker
First recorded in 1865–70; said to be alteration of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail
Words nearby spinnaker
Spingarn, spiniferous, spinifex, spin machine, spinmeister, spinnaker, spinnbarkeit, spinner, spinneret, spinnery, spinney
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for spinnaker
spinnaker
/ (ˈspɪnəkə, nautical ˈspæŋkə) /
noun
a large light triangular racing sail set from the foremast of a yacht when running or on a broad reach
Word Origin for spinnaker
C19: probably from spin + (mo) niker, but traditionally derived from Sphinx, the yacht that first adopted this type of sail
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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