mizen
9.9
A shorter mast near the back of a sailing ship, often the third from the front
- noun
- /ˈmɪzən/
- Specialized
:
mást de mesana
- Victory, like all ships of the line, was ship rigged, meaning she had three masts, A foremast main mast, a Mizen mast and a bowsprit.
Examples
-
During the storm, the crew struggled to secure the sails on the mizen mast.
-
The sailor climbed the ladder to adjust the rigging on the mizen mast.
-
As seen from the Mizen starboard shrouds of the Victory.
Academic text (1995) -
The mizen mast is typically shorter than the main mast on a ketch.
Synonyms
2
9.9
A tall pole at the back of a sailing ship that holds sails, usually the third
is the after mast that is usually shorter in three or more masted ships
2
9.9
The mast near the back of a ship, usually the third from the front
is the after mast that is usually shorter and typically third from the bow
9.9
A small mast near the back of a sailing boat
is the after mast term that focuses on position rather than small size
9.9
A small mast at the back of a sailing boat that holds a sail
is the after mast label typically used for a shorter third mast on multi-masted ships
Surface Forms
Etymology
Mizen comes from the Latin word medius, meaning 'middle'. Sailors used that idea for a mast near the rear or the smaller third mast, so mizen now means the after or smaller mast on a ship.