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

She felt sure his sprit approved when she married her lover last year.

From The Daily Beast

“It goes against the whole sprit of the Constitution,” King says of the effort to undo Obamacare.

From The Daily Beast

The Story of Anvil, which was voted Best Documentary at the Independent Sprit Awards.

From The Daily Beast

They had already made a step and sprit, and, with a calico sail hoisted, the frail craft ran before a light breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

The sight of the cross on the bow-sprit delighted the natives and assured the travellers of a hearty welcome.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall rig a new sprit; there's the boat-hook, which will make a very good one; it is just the right length.

From Project Gutenberg

First he repaired the worn-out sail, then made a new sprit, and refitted the tiller to the rudder head.

From Project Gutenberg

The goodwife was stirring the soup, and the goodman plaiting sprit-binnings for the cows.

From Project Gutenberg