topsail

[top-seyl, top-suhl]

noun

Nautical.

1. a sail, or either of a pair of sails, set immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast.

topsail

/ ˈtɒpsəl, ˈtɒpˌseɪl /

noun

1. a square sail carried on a yard set on a topmast

Word History and Origins

Origin of topsail¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, topsail is from the Middle English word topseil. See top ¹, sail

Example Sentences

“Her topsails and royals are catching a breeze that’s too high for us.”

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Brethren of the Coast cutlass Plate Fleet wherry topsail parrel belay.

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Now is when exultant crew members climb high into the rigging, even as the boat rolls and shimmies, to unfurl the topsails.

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Friday, set and strike three topsails, and then fire a 21-gun salute off Castle Island in South Boston.

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What: A full-size replica of a topsail schooner used by privateers in the War of 1812 to attack British ships.

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