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Definition of Topsail
1. Noun. A sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast.
Definition of Topsail
1. n. In a square-rigged vessel, the sail next above the lowermost sail on a mast. This sail is the one most frequently reefed or furled in working the ship. In a fore-and-aft rigged vessel, the sail set upon and above the gaff. See Cutter, Schooner, Sail, and Ship.
Definition of Topsail
1. Noun. (nautical) A sail or either of the two sails rigged just above the course sail and supported by the topmast on a square-rigged sailing ship. ¹
2. Noun. (nautical) In a fore-and-aft -rigged sailing boat, the sail that is set above the gaff at the top part of the mast. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Topsail
1. a sail of a ship [n -S]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Topsail
Literary usage of Topsail
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Chambers's Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge for the People (1868)
"A schooner uses the same sails as a cutter, except that, in one form, »ke carries
a square topsail and topgallant-sail on the foremast. ..."
2. Scientific American Reference Book by Albert Allis Hopkins, Alexander Russell Bond (1913)
"... A, is a leg of mutton, Ba lug, Ca split lug, Da sloop (having a single mast
and only fore and aft sails}, Ea sloop having a gaff topsail, Fa lateen rig, ..."
3. Scientific American Reference Book by Albert Allis Hopkins, Alexander Russell Bond (1913)
"S the jigger, 9 the fore topsail. 10 the main topsail, 11 the mizzen topsail, 1-
the fore gaff topsail, 13 the main gaff topsail. ..."
4. The New American Practical Navigator: Being an Epitome of Navigation by Nathaniel Bowditch (1826)
"The fore topsail ought to be braced sharp a-back, the main and mizen topsails
kept full, because these two last mentioned sails tend to give the ship ..."
5. Seamanship: Comp. from Various Authorities, and Illustrated with Numerous by Stephen Bleecker Luce (1877)
"The booms on the topsail-yard are usually sent up by the halliards, ... To measure
for mam-topsail clew-lines, for example, supposing them to go double, ..."
6. Chambers's Encyclopædia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge (1868)
"it is set prefixed, as ' fore-topsail,1 ' main-royal,1 I AC The square-sails are
made fast by their heads I to yards, the foot being drawn to the extremity ..."
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