| 释义 |
foremast|ˈfɔəmɑːst, -æ-|
[f. fore- prefix (and fore prep.) + mast.]
1. The forward lower-mast in all vessels.
1582N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's E. Ind. ix. 25 b, The tacklings of their formast. 1591Percivall Sp. Dict., Ostay, a cord that goeth from the boltsprit to the saile of the foremast. 1697W. Dampier Voy. I. xvi. 452 The fury of the Wind..snapt off the Boltsprit and Fore-mast both at once. 1719De Foe Crusoe i. i, The Mate and Boat⁓swain begg'd the Master of our Ship to let them cut away the Fore-mast. 1848W. Irving Columbus I. 240 The latter..from the weakness of her foremast, could not hold the wind.
2. ? The station of being ‘before the mast’; only attrib., as foremast man, seaman, a sailor below the rank of a petty officer; hence quasi-adj., characteristic of a foremast man.
1626Capt. Smith Accid. Yng. Seamen 6 The Younkers are the yong men called Foremast men. 1707Lond. Gaz. No. 4366/3 Eighty of the Foremast-Men belonging to the Jersey were..order'd to be discharg'd. 1793Smeaton Edystone L. §163 In the light of a foremast seaman, he appeared to be quite a Genius. 1823Byron Island ii. xx, His foremast air, and somewhat rolling gait..spoke his former state. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 303 He was inferior in seamanship to every foremast man on board. |