headsail

1 8.0

A sail at the front of a boat that helps steer and balance it

noun
/ˈhɛdˌseɪl/

Specialized

: vela de proa

Set topsails and headsails.

Examples

Set headsail and courses.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
Set headsails and courses!

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
Mr. Ray, where are my headsails?

In the Heart of the Sea (2015)
I will be bending the headsail back on this Saturday for some good November sailing.

Blog text (30)
Stand by the headsail!

Captains Courageous (1937)
Set headsail and courses.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
Set topsails and headsails.

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
Set topsails and headsails!

Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
The sailor adjusted the headsail to improve the boat's balance and speed.
With the wind in the right direction, they raised the headsail to help steer the vessel.

Synonyms

fore staysail

vsheadsail

Specialized

9.9

A triangular sail set just in front of the foremast on a large sailing ship

is a general sail forward of the foremast used to steer and balance

fore-topmast staysail

vsheadsail

Specialized

9.9

A small triangular sail set just ahead of the front mast on a large sailing ship

is a general sail forward of the foremast used to steer and balance

Surface Forms

headsail singular

headsails plural

Morphology

headsail = head + sail (semi-transparent) = head + sail

The components 'head' + 'sail' directly indicate a sail at the front of a vessel, but this is specialised nautical vocabulary so learners unfamiliar with 'head' meaning 'front' in this context may not infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word headsail combines head and sail, where head means 'front', so it literally names the 'sail at the front' of a boat. That's why a headsail is set forward to help steer and balance the boat.