forestaysail

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

noun

1. a triangular sail set on a forestay; the innermost headsail of a vessel.

forestaysail

/ fɔːˈsteɪˌseɪl; fɔːˈsteɪsəl /

noun

1. nautical the triangular headsail set aftermost on a vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of forestaysail¹

First recorded in 1735–45; forestay + sail

Example Sentences

Stuart jumped for the halyards, and the jib and the forestaysail came rippling down.

From Literature

Light engulfed the flying jib, the forestaysail.

From Literature

So they got the canvas on her, forestaysail, gaff-headed foresail, mainstaysail, and a blackened three-cornered strip abaft the mainmast, and the skipper felt a trifle easier when he found that he could steer her.

From Project Gutenberg

"Stations, wear ship! hard up with the helm! run up the forestaysail! square away the afteryards!"

From Project Gutenberg

Then she went forward and did the same to the forestaysail.

From Project Gutenberg