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mizen

mizen

9.9
A sail set on the rear mast of a sailing ship
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪzən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vela de mesana
  • The crew quickly hoisted the mizen to take advantage of the changing wind.

Examples

  • During the storm, the mizen was torn but the other sails remained intact.

  • He adjusted the mizen sail before the race.

  • He adjusted the mizen for better balance while steering the ship.

  • The mizen is crucial for balancing the ship.

  • The captain ordered the crew to lower the mizen before the storm hit.

  • To maintain speed, the sailor adjusted the angle of the mizen sail carefully.

  • The mizen sail caught the wind perfectly, helping the boat move faster.

Synonyms

mizzen
vsmizen
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A sail set on the rear mast that runs front to back

is the same sail but the term differs in form or spelling
spanker
vsmizen
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A sail at the back of a ship on the lowest mast

is specifically the sail on the aft lower mast rather than a broader type

Surface Forms

mizen singular
mizens plural

Etymology

Mizen also names the sail on that mast and comes from the same Latin root medius meaning 'middle'. Because the sail sits on the rear or middle mast, mizen means the sail set on the mizzenmast.