skysail

American  

[skahy-seyl, skahy-suhl] / ˈskaɪˌseɪl, ˈskaɪ səl /

noun

Nautical.

1. (in a square-rigged vessel) a light square sail next above the royal.

2. a triangular sail set on a stay between the fore and main trucks of a racing schooner.

---

skysail British  

/ ˈskaɪˌseɪl /

noun

1. a square sail set above the royal on a square-rigger

2. a triangular sail set between the trucks of a racing schooner

---

Etymology

Origin of skysail

First recorded in 1820–30; sky + sail

Example Sentences

But seldom had he dared dream of touching this uppermost skysail of influence.

From Time Magazine Archive

A triangular sail set above the skysail; if square it would be a moonsail, and if set above that, a star-gazer, &c.

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

Near to starboard was a white ship, fully rigged, standing towards the island with royals set, and even a towering main skysail.

From The Sea and the Jungle by Tomlinson, H. M. (Henry Major)

He was as steady as a bollard, And gallant as a skysail yard.

From Reynard the Fox by Masefield, John

Everything was confusion; the captain, springing into the first boat, bade his men follow, leaving, beside Harry, but two worthless fellows, who hardly knew a skysail from a jib-sheet, in charge of the ship.

From Natalie A Gem Among the Sea-Weeds by Vale, Ferna