Definition

1. Noun:
   • Either end of the yard of a square-rigged ship: A "yardarm" refers specifically to one of the two outer ends or tips of a horizontal spar (called a yard) that supports and spreads a square sail on a traditional sailing ship.

Usage

• The term is used almost exclusively in nautical contexts, particularly when discussing the rigging, operation, or history of square-rigged sailing vessels.
• It is often mentioned in specific ceremonial or operational phrases.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The lookout spotted land from the yardarm.
  • Sailors had to work out on the yardarm to furl the sails.
  • The flag was raised to the yardarm at sunrise.

Advanced Usage

• "At the yardarm": A phrase describing something located at or happening on the yardarm.
  • The sailor balanced precariously at the yardarm.
• "To the yardarm": Often used in commands or descriptions related to hoisting something to that location.
  • Hoist the colors to the yardarm!

Variants and Related Words

• Yard (n): The main horizontal spar from which a square sail is set. The yardarm is the end part of the yard.
• Yardarm to yardarm: A phrase describing ships positioned very closely side-by-side.
  • The two frigates came yardarm to yardarm before the battle.

Synonyms

• Arm of the yard: A less common descriptive synonym.
• End of the yard: A simple descriptive phrase.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Sun over the yardarm": A traditional nautical saying indicating it is late enough in the day to have an alcoholic drink.
  • It's past noon, the sun is over the yardarm—time for a drink.
• "Nail one's colors to the yardarm": An idiom meaning to defiantly show one's true opinions or loyalties, derived from the historical act of securing a ship's flag to the yardarm so it could not be lowered in surrender.
  • By publishing that manifesto, the politician nailed his colors to the yardarm.

Noun

1. either end of the yard of a square-rigged ship