four-master

A four-master sails across the open sea.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A ship with four masts: "four-master" refers to a sailing vessel that is equipped with four masts, used historically for cargo or naval purposes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old four-master sailed slowly across the Atlantic. (A large ship with four masts.)
  • In the 19th century, four-masters were common for long-distance trade. (Vessels with four masts.)

Advanced Usage

• "to rig a four-master": to fit a ship with four masts and their associated sails.

  • The crew spent weeks rigging the four-master for its maiden voyage. (Preparing the ship's masts and sails.)

• "a four-master in full sail": a four-masted ship with all sails deployed.

  • We saw a four-master in full sail on the horizon. (The ship was using all its sails.)

Variants and Related Words

• Four-masted (adj): having four masts.
  • The four-masted schooner was a beautiful sight. (A schooner with four masts.)
• Master (n): a ship's captain or a person in charge; in this compound, it refers to the masts themselves (from the nautical term "master" meaning a principal mast).

Synonyms

• Four-masted ship: a vessel with four masts.
• Quadri-masted vessel: a less common term for a ship with four masts.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms using "four-master." However, in nautical contexts, a "full-rigged ship" may be used for a vessel with three or more masts.