foremastn.
/ˈfɔːmɑːst/, /ˈfɔːmast/, /ˈfɔːməst/, U.S. /ˈfɔrˌmæst/, /ˈfɔrməst/ 1. The forward lower-mast in all vessels.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > spar > [noun] > mast > forward lower mast
foremast1582
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias ix. 25 b The tacklings of their formast.
1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Dict. at Ostay A cord that goeth from the boltsprit to the saile of the foremast.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World xvi. 452 The fury of the Wind..snapt off the Boltsprit and Fore-mast both at once.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 11 The Mate and Boat-Swain begg'd the Master of our Ship to let them cut away the Foremast.
1848 W. Irving Life C. 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 attributive, as foremast man n., foremast seaman a sailor below the rank of a petty officer; hence quasi-adj., characteristic of a foremast man.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > sailors of lower ranks or classes
foremast man1626
seaman1702
guinea pig1748
foremast seaman1793
full man1860
lower deck1874
society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [adjective] > characteristic of lower grade sailor
swabberly1596
foremast1823
lower deck1912
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 6 The Younkers are the yong men called Fore-mast men.
1707 London Gaz. No. 4366/3 Eighty of the Foremast-Men belonging to the Jersey were..order'd to be discharg'd.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §163 In the light of a foremast seaman, he appeared to be quite a Genius.
1823 Ld. Byron Island ii. xx. 42 His foremast air, and somewhat rolling gait..spoke his former state.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 303 He was inferior in seamanship to every foremast man on board.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1582