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spinnaker

[ spin-uh-ker ]

noun

, Nautical.
  1. 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.


spinnaker

/ ˈspæŋkə; ˈspɪnəkə /

noun

  1. a large light triangular racing sail set from the foremast of a yacht when running or on a broad reach
“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spinnaker1

First recorded in 1865–70; said to be alteration of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spinnaker1

C19: probably from spin + ( mo ) niker , but traditionally derived from Sphinx, the yacht that first adopted this type of sail
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Example Sentences

Lost Bay is a one day, single race regatta for mono-hull sailboats of at least twenty feet with both spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions.

From Salon

Two instructors, competitive sailors though barely older, demonstrated how to attach a lightweight spinnaker to sail off wind.

You can only try to describe Avery’s colors, knowing in advance your attempts will crumple like a spinnaker turned into the wind.

According to Chris Johnson, the With Grace skipper, Mueller accidentally stepped into a line that looped around his foot right as the spinnaker filled.

“I like the colors of the kite,” she said, pointing to the pink, blue and purple spinnaker during a lull in the wind.

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