mizenmast
Noun: The mizenmast is the third mast from the front (bow) of a sailing ship that has three or more masts. On smaller two-masted vessels like a yawl or ketch, it is the rear (aft) and usually shorter mast.
The word mizenmast is used specifically in the context of sailing and nautical terminology to identify a particular mast's position and function on a ship. - The sailor climbed the mizenmast to adjust the sail. - On a ketch, the mizenmast is located aft of the mainmast.
- Standing Rigging: The mizenmast is supported by its own set of shrouds and stays, which are part of the ship's standing rigging.
- Mizen Sail: The sail set on this mast is called the (or ) sail. For example:
- Mizzenmast: This is a common alternate spelling of mizenmast. The terms are interchangeable.
- Mizzen (noun): Can refer to the mast itself (as a shortened form) or, more commonly, to the sail set on this mast.
- Aftermost Mast: A descriptive term for the rearmost mast, which on many vessels is the mizenmast.
- Jigger-mast: This is a synonymous term, particularly used on some older or specific types of sailing vessels.
The core meaning of mizenmast is consistent, referring to the specific mast position. The spelling variation (mizzenmast) does not indicate a different meaning. The word is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs outside of direct nautical reference.
- third mast from the bow in a vessel having three or more masts; the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy