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topsail
topsail. In fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessels a topsail is a sail set above the working sails. This can be in the form of a high-setting jib topsail or set above gaff-rigged sails, usually from the topmast, as a main topsail or fore topsail. In this application it can take the form of a triangular jib-headed topsail or set with additional spars as a jackyard topsail. In a square-rigger it is the sail set from a topsail yard. It is sometimes split into two parts each with its own yard and those are then called upper and lower topsails. The lower topsail is often made of heavy canvas and can be kept set in heavy wind.
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Cite this article
"topsail." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "topsail." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-topsail.html "topsail." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-topsail.html |
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topsail
top·sail / ˈtäpsəl; -ˌsāl/ • n. a sail set on a ship's topmast. ∎ a fore-and-aft sail set above the gaff. |
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Cite this article
"topsail." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "topsail." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-topsail.html "topsail." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-topsail.html |
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topsail
topsail ˈtäpsəl; -ˌsāl n.
1. a sail set on a ship's topmast. 2. a fore-and-aft sail set above the gaff. |
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Cite this article
"topsail." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "topsail." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-topsail.html "topsail." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-topsail.html |
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