topmast
9.6
The top part of a ship's tall pole that holds sails
- noun
- /ˈtɑpˌmæst/
- Specialized
:
mástil superior
- That's the main topmast, and that's the main mast... and that's the main rigging, and that's the gurry kit.
Examples
-
That's her nosy, long topmast prying into our wake.
-
The head of the topmast has been shot away, leaving the ship in disrepair.
-
I knew it the minute I sighted the topmast.
-
Down with the topmast bestir, bestir
-
Flags were flying from all the topmasts, whipping smartly in the breeze.
-
I knew it the minute I sighted the topmast of the tall ship against the horizon.
Compounds
fore-topmast staysail
- Specialized
9.9
A small triangular sail set just ahead of the front mast on a large sailing ship
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Topmast is simply top 'the highest part' plus mast 'the tall pole on a ship that holds the sails', so it means the upper part of a ship's mast.
