foresail

[ fawr-seyl, fohr-; Nautical fawr-suhl, fohr- ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. the lowermost sail on a foremast.
2. the staysail or jib, set immediately forward of the mainmast of a sloop, cutter, knockabout, yawl, ketch, or dandy.

foresail

/ ˈfɔːˌseɪl; ˈfɔːsəl /

noun

1. the aftermost headsail of a fore-and-aft rigged vessel
2. the lowest sail set on the foremast of a square-rigged vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of foresail¹

First recorded in 1475–85; fore- + sail

Example Sentences

“Now back your foresail and give her a full!” screamed the owner of the Wasp.

From Literature

With the oars damaged and the foresail torn, Leo could barely manage a controlled descent.

From Literature

The crew scramble between the hulls on trampoline nets to adjust the huge hollow mainsail, which looks more like an aircraft wing, and the smaller foresail.

From Reuters

Each crew member had his job: raising and lowering the stabilizing fins, known as dagger boards, on each pontoon; adjusting the fixed wing; or unfurling the billowing foresail, called a gennaker.

From New York Times

Another and another followed; but, no longer directed across the lugger's bows, they were evidently aimed directly at her; and one of them passed through the foresail, though without doing any farther damage.

From Project Gutenberg