topgallant sail

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. a sail or either of two sails set on the yard or yards of a topgallant mast.

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Etymology

Origin of topgallant sail

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Like acrobats, the crew scurried up the masts to the upper topgallant sails that rose nearly 200 feet above us.

From New York Times

Just the second before he spoke, the leech of the topgallant sail had caught over the end of the yard arm.

From Project Gutenberg

Both vessels carried their topgallant sails, although the masts bent and threatened to go over the side.

From Project Gutenberg

In the same manner, the two topgallant sails gave way, though they were not half worn out.

From Project Gutenberg

I held on to my topgallant sails, though the masts buckled, and bent as though the sticks would go over the side.

From Project Gutenberg