Definition

Noun: A square sail is a type of four-sided sail. It is rigged so that it is set at a right angle to the length of the ship, suspended from a horizontal spar called a yard, which is attached to a mast at its center point. This sail is designed primarily to catch a following wind (wind coming from behind the vessel).

Usage

The term "square sail" is used to describe a specific, traditional sail design, typically in the context of historical sailing vessels, tall ships, or nautical history. - The ship was equipped with several square sails on its mainmast. - Square sails were common on European sailing ships from the Age of Discovery. - The crew worked together to furl the large square sail.

Advanced Usage

• "To set a square sail": To hoist and arrange this type of sail so it catches the wind.
  • The captain ordered the crew to set the square sail to take advantage of the favorable wind.
• "Under square sail": Describing a ship that is being propelled primarily by its square sails.
  • The frigate proceeded under square sail across the Atlantic.

Variants and Related Words

• Square-rigged (adj): Describes a ship whose primary sails are square sails.
  • A square-rigged vessel like a barque has a distinctive and majestic appearance.
• Yard (n): The horizontal spar from which a square sail is suspended.
• Fore-and-aft sail (n): A different type of sail (like a gaff or Bermuda sail) set along the line of the keel, in contrast to a square sail.

Synonyms

• Course (n): In specific nautical terminology, the principal square sail set on the lowest yard of a mast.
• Topsail (n): A square sail set above the course.

Related Phrases

• "To sail square": An older phrase meaning to sail with the wind directly astern, the most efficient point of sail for a square-rigged vessel.

Noun

1. a four-sided sail set beneath a horizontal yard suspended at the middle from a mast