sprit

[ sprit ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a small pole or spar crossing a fore-and-aft sail diagonally from the mast to the upper aftermost corner, serving to extend the sail.

sprit

/ sprɪt /

noun

1. nautical a light spar pivoted at the mast and crossing a fore-and-aft quadrilateral sail diagonally to the peak

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprit¹

before 900; Middle English spret, Old English sprēot; cognate with Dutch, German Spriet; akin to sprout

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprit¹

Old English spreot; related to Old High German spriuzen to support, Dutch spriet sprit, Norwegian sprӯta

Example Sentences

“Poetry feeds our sprit when we’re hungry for something more,” she added.

From Seattle Times

That is far from the sprit of the McCleary lawsuit settlement.

From Seattle Times

The PM said it has given tens of thousands of documents the official Covid inquiry "in a sprit of candour and transparency".

From BBC

But to the surprise of the fans lined up along Boylston Street for the final sprit, he wasn’t among the three leaders.

From Washington Times

She then points at the decorative offerings: Marigold flowers to welcome sprits with fresh aromas, salt to keep the evil away, glasses of water for tired souls.

From New York Times