mainmast

mainmast
Mast Mast, n. [AS. m[ae]st, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw. mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Naut.) A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a hollow pillar of iron or steel. [1913 Webster]

The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great ammiral. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Note: The most common general names of masts are {foremast}, {mainmast}, and {mizzenmast}, each of which may be made of separate spars. [1913 Webster]

2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane. [1913 Webster]

3. (A["e]ronautics) A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys are attached for stiffening purposes. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Afore the mast}, {Before the mast}. See under {Afore}, and {Before}.

{Mast coat}. See under {Coat}.

{Mast hoop}, one of a number of hoops attached to the fore edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in making a made mast. See {Made}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mainmast — Main mast , n. (Naut.) The principal mast in a ship or other vessel. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mainmast — (n.) 16c., from MAIN (Cf. main) (adj.) + MAST (Cf. mast) (n.1) …   Etymology dictionary

  • mainmast — ► NOUN ▪ the principal mast of a ship …   English terms dictionary

  • mainmast — [mān′mast΄; ] naut. [, ān′məst] n. the principal mast of a vessel: in a schooner, brig, bark, etc., the mast second from the bow; in a ketch or yawl, the larger mast nearer the bow …   English World dictionary

  • mainmast — noun Date: 15th century a sailing ship s principal mast …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mainmast — /mayn mast , mahst /; Naut. /mayn meuhst/, n. Naut. 1. the second mast from forward in any ship having two or more masts, except for a yawl, ketch, or dandy. See illus. under quarterdeck. 2. the larger forward mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy. 3.… …   Universalium

  • mainmast — noun The chief, and tallest mast of a sailing ship that has more than one mast …   Wiktionary

  • mainmast — main|mast [ˈmeınma:st, məst US mæst, məst] n the largest or most important of the ↑masts on a ship …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • mainmast — sailing ship s principal mast Nautical Terms …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • mainmast — main·mast || meɪnmɑːst, mÉ™st n. main or tallest mast of a sailing vessel (Nautical) …   English contemporary dictionary

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