square sail

noun

, Nautical.

1. a sail set beneath a horizontal yard, the normal position of which, when not trimmed to the wind, is directly athwartships.

square sail

noun

1. nautical a rectangular or square sail set on a horizontal yard rigged more or less athwartships

Word History and Origins

Origin of square sail¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

There was no sign of an anchor, a mast or the square sail typically used by Mediterranean trade ships of the time.

From New York Times

Some of the ships under development use soft, square sails stacked onto masts, like the famously fast clipper ships of the 19th century, but with sleeker, larger designs.

From New York Times

Directly ahead of him, across the river with its vivid, square sails, rose the high east bank and the other half of the ancient city of Thebes.

From Literature

Downward from this yard he wove on the wind's loom a sail of spells, a square sail white as the snows on Gont peak above.

From Literature

It will accommodate 14 long oars and has a small, square sail.

From Seattle Times