jury-mast

A sailor secures a jury-mast to replace the broken mainmast.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A temporary mast: "jury-mast" refers to a makeshift or temporary mast erected on a ship to replace one that has been damaged or lost, typically due to storm or battle.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • After the storm snapped the mainmast, the crew quickly rigged a jury-mast to continue their voyage. (A temporary mast used as a substitute.)
  • The ship limped into port under a jury-mast, barely managing to stay afloat. (A makeshift mast providing minimal propulsion.)

Advanced Usage

• "to step a jury-mast": to install or erect a temporary mast.

  • The sailors had to step a jury-mast using spare spars and rope. (They constructed and set up the temporary mast.)

• "jury-rigged": (adjective) describes something that is improvised or temporary, not only masts.

  • The jury-rigged steering system worked just enough to get them to shore. (An improvised repair.)

Variants and Related Words

• Jury-rig (verb): to improvise a temporary repair or device.

  • They jury-rigged a pump from an old barrel and some tubing. (They created a makeshift pump.)

• Jury (prefix): used in nautical terms to denote something temporary or makeshift.

  • A jury-rudder is a temporary steering device. (A provisional rudder.)

Synonyms

• Makeshift mast: a mast that is not permanent.
• Temporary mast: a mast used as a short-term replacement.

Idioms

• "to carry a jury-mast": to proceed with a temporary mast.
  • The frigate carried a jury-mast for the remainder of the journey. (The ship used the improvised mast.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Rig up a jury-mast: to set up a temporary mast quickly.
  • The crew rigged up a jury-mast from a broken yardarm. (They assembled a provisional mast.)

Related Idioms

• "Under jury-mast": sailing with a temporary mast.
  • The schooner was under jury-mast when it reached the harbour. (It was using a makeshift mast.)