sprit

[ sprit ]

/ sprɪt /

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noun Nautical.

a small pole or spar crossing a fore-and-aft sail diagonally from the mast to the upper aftermost corner, serving to extend the sail.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of sprit

before 900; Middle English spret,Old English sprēot; cognate with Dutch, German Spriet; akin to sprout

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sprit in a sentence

She's a brigantine, and there are sprits'ls on both masts, and only one square sail on the foremast.
Somehow Good|William de Morgan
Qu dict excittus Marius dgns rbus, qus poste gessit, sprits concpit.
Selections from Viri Romae|Charles Franois L'Homond
We also got out, and sent them the masts and regular sails of the boat, which was fitted to carry two sprits.
Miles Wallingford|James Fenimore Cooper
Mozart was always ready to help him, but he frequently made him the butt of his exuberant sprits.
Life Of Mozart, Vol. 2 (of 3)|Otto Jahn

A large Dutch coasting trader, fitted with two masts, and sails set with sprits.
The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth

British Dictionary definitions for sprit

sprit

/ (sprɪt) /

noun

nautical a light spar pivoted at the mast and crossing a fore-and-aft quadrilateral sail diagonally to the peak

Word Origin for sprit

Old English spreot; related to Old High German spriuzen to support, Dutch spriet sprit, Norwegian sprӯta

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