Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
topgallant sail

topgallant sail

9.9
A sail set high above the topsail on a sailing ship's mast
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : vela de gavia
  • The crew quickly climbed the rigging to furl the topgallant sail as the storm approached.

Examples

  • With a fresh wind, the captain ordered the topgallant sail to be set for greater speed.

  • The ship raised its topgallant sail as the wind picked up.

  • The topgallant sail fluttered as the ship changed course to port.

  • Many sailors admire the topgallant sails for their beauty.

  • With the wind in its favor, the ship hoisted the topgallant sail to catch more breeze and accelerate.

  • As the storm approached, the sailors worked quickly to lower the topgallant sail for safety.

  • The crew cheered as the topgallant sail filled with wind, propelling the vessel forward on its journey.

Synonyms

topgallant
vstopgallant sail
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small square sail set above the topsail on a sailing ship

is described more generally as a sail above the topsail without yard detail

Surface Forms

topgallant sail singular
topgallant sails plural

Morphology

topgallant + sail

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'topgallant' names a specific (upper) sail or yard position and 'sail' is the vehicle/cloth, so 'topgallant sail' simply denotes the sail in the topgallant position. Although the term is specialised nautical vocabulary, its meaning follows standard modifier + head composition and would be clear to a learner who already knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Topgallant sail is a small sail set high on a ship's mast, above the topsail. Sailors put that high sail near the very top to catch more wind, so it is the sail used 'to make the ship go faster'.