fore-topmast

American  

[fawr-top-mast, -mahst, fohr-, fawr-top-muhst, fohr-] / ˌfɔrˈtɒpˌmæst, -ˌmɑst, ˌfoʊr-, ˌfɔrˈtɒp məst, ˌfoʊr- /

noun

1. the spar or section of a pole mast serving as the topmast of a foremast on a ship.

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fore-topmast British  

/ fɔːˈtɒpməst, fɔːˈtɒpˌmɑːst /

noun

1. nautical a mast stepped above a foremast

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Etymology

Origin of fore-topmast

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

But she was not so lucky—for we could see, by their getting preventer-backstays upon her fore-topmast, that the mast was crippled.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 10 by Various

Even with the naked eye they soon could see that her bulwarks were badly battered, and that her fore-topmast had been carried away.

From Annie o' the Banks o' Dee by Stables, Gordon

July 20th.—Painting and refitting ship; got off the new fore-topmast from the shore.

From Memoirs of Service Afloat, During the War Between the States by Semmes, Raphael

To break; as, "That ship has carried away her fore-topmast," i.e. has broken it off.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

The netting placed just above a vessel's bowsprit, for stowing away the fore-topmast staysail; it is usually lashed between the ridge-ropes.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir