Definition

Noun: - The sail set above the royal sail on a square-rigged sailing ship: A skysail is the highest and typically smallest sail on a square-rigged mast, positioned above the royal sail. It is used in light winds to maximize the ship's speed.

Usage

• The is set only in favorable, gentle wind conditions due to its height and exposure.
• It is part of the sequence of sails on a mast, which, from lowest to highest, typically includes: course, topsail, topgallant, royal, and .

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To carry a skysail": To have a skysail set and drawing wind, often indicating a ship is making the most of favorable conditions.
  • The experienced captain knew when to carry a skysail for an extra knot of speed.

Variants and Related Words

• Sky-scraper (noun, archaic): An older, synonymous term for a skysail.
• Royal (noun): The sail immediately below the skysail on a square-rigger.
• Moonraker (noun): A hypothetical or very light sail sometimes set above the skysail on some ships.

Synonyms

• Topmost sail: A descriptive term for the highest sail.
• Sky-scraper (archaic): An exact synonym.

Related Phrases

• "All plain sail and skysails": A phrase describing a ship under a full press of sail, including its highest and lightest sails.
  • The ship left port under all plain sail and skysails.

Noun

1. the sail above the royal on a square-rigger