staysail

[ stey-seyl; Nautical stey-suhl ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. any sail set on a stay, as a triangular sail between two masts.

staysail

/ ˈsteɪˌseɪl; ˈsteɪsəl /

noun

1. an auxiliary sail, often triangular, set to catch the wind, as between the masts of a yawl ( mizzen staysail ), aft of a spinnaker ( spinnaker staysail ), etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of staysail¹

First recorded in 1660–70; stay ³ + sail

Example Sentences

The 'Satanita,' however, had just before drove on to the outer flagboat and she was then kept lying with staysail to windward.

From Project Gutenberg

I sprang to the helm and put it up, while Grampus hoisted the fore-staysail just a foot or so above the deck.

From Project Gutenberg

When the fore-topmast staysail and jib were to be set, somebody had fouled the down-hauls, so that they could not be hoisted.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr Forbes, get the starboard fore-topmast staysail sheets aft and well belayed, if you please.

From Project Gutenberg

The scavengers were sweeping down, and part of the after guard was bending a new bolt-rope on a storm staysail.

From Project Gutenberg