fore-topmast staysail
- noun
- Specialized
:
vela de estay del fore-topmast
- The crew hoisted the fore-topmast staysail to gain extra speed in the freshening wind.
Examples
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Due to damage on the jib, the captain ordered the fore-topmast staysail to be used instead.
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While learning to sail, Mark studied the function of the fore-topmast staysail and other sails on the ship.
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The fore-topmast staysail is essential for stability.
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He adjusted the fore-topmast staysail during the storm.
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The crew hoisted the fore-topmast staysail to gain extra speed in the freshening wind.
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Due to damage on the jib, the captain ordered the fore-topmast staysail to be used instead.
-
While learning to sail, Mark studied the function of the fore-topmast staysail and other sails on the ship.
Synonyms
13
8.6
A triangular sail set at the front of a boat
1
9.9
A small sail fixed to a rope between two masts to help move the boat
A triangular sail set just in front of the foremast on a large sailing ship
A sail set along the length of a boat rather than across it
Surface Forms
Morphology
fore-topmast + staysail
The term partially decomposes: 'staysail' clearly contains 'sail' so learners can infer it is a type of sail, and 'fore-topmast' signals a forward/topmast location, allowing a guess that it is a sail positioned near the fore topmast. However 'fore-topmast' is specialized nautical jargon (not attested in the provided dictionary entry) and the precise technical location and role on a large square-rigged ship would likely be unknown to a B1 learner, so the meaning is only partly predictable.
Etymology
Fore-topmast staysail is a name made from three words that tell where the sail is: fore means 'front of the ship', topmast means 'top part of the foremast', and staysail means 'a small sail attached to a rope'. So the name shows this small sail sits forward and high on the mast to give extra speed and help steady the ship.