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Glite Dictionary
gaff topsail

gaff topsail

9.9
A triangular sail set above the gaff with its bottom on the gaff and its front edge along the topmast
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : vela de gaff
  • The sailor hoisted the gaff topsail to catch the wind.

Examples

  • The captain ordered the crew to trim the gaff topsail as the storm approached.

  • After adjusting the rigging, they set the gaff topsail for better speed.

  • Loose the gaff topsail!

    Hawaii (1966)

Synonyms

topsail
vsgaff topsail
  • Specialized
4 9.9

A sail set above a lower sail on a mast to catch wind

is narrower, meaning a triangular sail with foot on gaff and luff on topmast
fore-and-aft topsail
vsgaff topsail
  • Specialized
9.9

A triangular sail fixed to a horizontal pole near the top of a mast to catch wind

has identical meaning but uses the other traditional phrasing

Surface Forms

gaff topsail singular
gaff topsails plural

Morphology

gaff + topsail

The compound is compositional: it denotes the topsail that is associated with or set on a gaff, so a learner who knows 'gaff' (a spar supporting a sail head) and 'topsail' (a sail above a lower sail) can infer this meaning. Although nautical and technical in detail, the meaning follows directly from combining the constituents rather than being idiomatic.

Etymology

Gaff topsail The sailing term gaff topsail names a small triangular sail set above the gaff, a wooden pole that holds the main sail. The topsail's bottom edge lies along the gaff and its front edge runs up to the top of the mast, so the gaff topsail is the 'extra sail' that catches more wind and makes the boat go faster.