mizzen

American  

[miz-uhn] / ˈmɪz ən /

Or mizen

noun

1. a fore-and-aft sail set on a mizzenmast.

2. mizzenmast.

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adjective

1. of or relating to a mizzenmast.

2. noting a sail, yard, boom, etc., or any rigging belonging to a mizzen lower mast or to some upper mast of a mizzenmast.

3. noting any stay running aft and upward to the head of a mizzen lower mast or some specified upper mast of a mizzenmast.

   mizzen topmast stay.

mizzen British  

/ ˈmɪzən /

noun

1. a sail set on a mizzenmast

2. short for mizzenmast

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adjective

1. of or relating to any kind of gear used with a mizzenmast

   a mizzen staysail

Etymology

Origin of mizzen

1375–1425; late Middle English meson, mesan, probably < Italian mezzana

Example Sentences

I now have to keep fencing with Accrux while I have managed to throw your sword flying and getting stuck into the mizzen mast.

From Economist • Nov. 15, 2012

Santa Maria's mainmast reaches 192 feet above the waterline, the mizzen to 158 feet.

From Time Magazine Archive

Isabel and the Sea will make even a coal miner imagine himself "running free under number-two jib, staysail, mainsail, and mizzen . . . setting course for the volcanic island of Stromboli."

From Time Magazine Archive

The top of the Bristol's mainmast was shot clean off, and her mizzen was splintered.

From Time Magazine Archive

Captain Cascabel, who had leaped into the mizzen rigging, gave his orders, which were promptly executed by Mr. Hackleford.

From Brave Old Salt or, Life on the Quarter Deck by Optic, Oliver