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Glite Dictionary
⛵ A high sail 🗼 A high mast part
topgallant

topgallant

1 9.9
The part of a mast above the topmast on a sailing ship
  • noun
  • /ˈtɑpˌɡælənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gavia
  • The crew adjusted the sails on the topgallant to catch the strong winds.

Examples

  • Down topgallants!

    Moby Dick (1956)

  • All the way to the main topgallant yardarm for that spoonful of water, eh?

    Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)

  • During the storm, the captain ordered the crew to lower the topgallant sail to prevent damage.

  • As the ship sailed smoothly, the topgallant rose high above the main mast.

Synonyms

topgallant mast
vstopgallant
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall upright wooden pole near the top of a sailing ship that holds a high square sail

is the upper section defined by position above the topmast

Compounds

topgallant mast
  • Specialized
9.9

A tall upright wooden pole near the top of a sailing ship that holds a high square sail

topgallant sail
  • Specialized
9.9

A sail set high above the topsail on a sailing ship's mast

topgallant yard
  • Specialized
9.9

A long horizontal pole high on a sailing ship that holds the sail above the topsail

Surface Forms

topgallant singular
topgallants plural

Morphology

topgallant = top + gallant (opaque) = top + gallant

Although composed of recognisable elements, the specific nautical meaning ('section of a mast') is specialized and not predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Topgallant for the mast part also combines top and gallant, naming the high, showy section above the topmast. So the topgallant is literally the upper part of the mast that holds the topgallant sail.