Definition

1. Noun:
   • A light spar that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally: A "sprit" is a long, slender pole (spar) used on certain sailing vessels. It is rigged diagonally across a four-sided sail to extend and support its peak (the upper, outer corner).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The fisherman adjusted the sprit to better catch the wind.
  • A traditional Thames barge uses a sprit to hold out its large mainsail.

Advanced Usage

• "Sprit-rigged": Describes a boat or sail that uses a sprit as its primary means of support.
  • The small dinghy was sprit-rigged, making it simple to handle.

Variants and Related Words

• Spritsail (n): The sail that is extended by a sprit.
  • The spritsail is a classic and efficient sail design.

Synonyms

• Spar: A general term for a pole used to support or extend a sail on a ship.
• Boom: A spar along the bottom edge of a sail. (Note: A boom is typically horizontal, while a sprit is diagonal.)

Related Phrases

• "Sprit topmast": A small mast sometimes set at the outer end of a sprit.
• "Sprit course": An old term for the mainsail set on a sprit.

Noun

1. a light spar that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally