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Glite Dictionary
main-topmast

main-topmast

9.9
The upper part of a ship's main mast that holds sails
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : topmástil principal
  • The lookout climbed the main-topmast to get a better view of the approaching coastline.

Examples

  • The sails attached to the main-topmast helped propel the ship faster when the wind was strong.

  • During the storm, the main-topmast snapped, making the ship difficult to control.

  • The main-topmast stands tall.

  • Look at the main-topmast!

  • The lookout climbed the main-topmast to get a better view of the approaching coastline.

  • During the storm, the main-topmast snapped, making the ship difficult to control.

  • The sails attached to the main-topmast helped propel the ship faster when the wind was strong.

Synonyms

topmast
vsmain-topmast
  • Specialized
9.6

The top part of a ship's tall pole that holds sails

is the specific second stage above the ship's main mast in square rigs

Surface Forms

main-topmast singular
main-topmasts plural

Morphology

main-topmast = main + topmast (transparent) = main + topmast

A straightforward compound: 'main' modifies 'topmast' to indicate the topmast belonging to the mainmast, so the meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word main-topmast comes from two parts: main ('most important') and topmast ('upper part of the mast'), and mast is 'a tall pole for sails'. So, main-topmast is the upper section above the mainmast that helps the ship catch more wind.