staysail

[ stey-seyl; Nautical stey-suhl ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. any sail set on a stay, as a triangular sail between two masts.

staysail

/ ˈsteɪˌseɪl; ˈsteɪsəl /

noun

1. an auxiliary sail, often triangular, set to catch the wind, as between the masts of a yawl ( mizzen staysail ), aft of a spinnaker ( spinnaker staysail ), etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of staysail¹

First recorded in 1660–70; stay ³ + sail

Example Sentences

The Myrtle, no longer impeded by the trailing wreckage, forged rapidly through the water, although she was now carrying foresail, staysail, and outer jib only.

From Project Gutenberg

By and by Marston hauled down the staysail and stood on the deck forward, studying the forbidding coast Wyndham steered for.

From Project Gutenberg

Having arrived at the edge of the pack, a gale came on so suddenly that they were at once reduced to storm staysails.

From Project Gutenberg

First the foretopmast staysail was set and the sheets hauled aft so as to pay off before the wind.

From Project Gutenberg

There's an old staysail they can have to sleep in.

From Project Gutenberg