topgallant sail

noun

Nautical.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of topgallant sail¹

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.

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

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

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

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

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