topgallant

/ ˌtɒpˈɡælənt; təˈɡælənt /

noun

1. Also calledtopgallant mast a mast on a square-rigger above a topmast or an extension of a topmast
2. Also calledtopgallant sail a sail set on a yard of a topgallant mast
3. modifier of or relating to a topgallant

Word History and Origins

Origin of topgallant¹

C16: from top ¹+ gallant

Example Sentences

Like acrobats, the crew scurried up the masts to the upper topgallant sails that rose nearly 200 feet above us.

From New York Times

Case shot topgallant yo-ho-ho heave to jolly boat crow’s nest square-rigged.

From Seattle Times

Screaming, a seaman plunged from our topgallant, to die on deck while we were outrunning a storm.

From Project Gutenberg

She had been sailing under foresail and mainsail only, but now in frantic haste the crew, in obedience to Biddle's orders, set the topsails and the topgallants.

From Project Gutenberg

The corn is out in topgallant, and if you look from a mountain path into the planted valley, the écru tassels have hidden the lustrous ribbon leaves.

From Project Gutenberg