sprit

[ sprit ]

/ sprɪt /

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.

Words nearby sprit

sprinkler system, sprinklered, sprinkling, sprint, sprint medley, sprit, sprite, sprite crab, spritsail, spritz, spritzer

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for sprits

Sprits were used instead of booms, and there was sometimes a short bowsprit, carrying a jib.
The Migrations of an American Boat Type|Howard I. Chapelle
A large Dutch coasting trader, fitted with two masts, and sails set with sprits.
The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth
Instead of booms, sprits were used; these were set up at the heels with tackles to the masts.
The Migrations of an American Boat Type|Howard I. Chapelle
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

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

British Dictionary definitions for sprits

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