mizzen
1 of 2noun
miz·zen ˈmi-zᵊn 
variants or less commonly mizen
1
: a fore-and-aft sail set on the mizzenmast
2
: mizzenmast
mizzen
2 of 2adjective
variants or less commonly mizen
: of or relating to the mizzenmast
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2022 To me, this ship has a history and a story in its own right,’’ 32-year-old Don Heminitz said the other day while at work on the mizzen shrouds, which to a landlubber like me are ropes that help support the masts. BostonGlobe.com, 30 Oct. 2019
Noun
The deck is also uncluttered thanks to the reasonably sized captive winches, along with roller furling systems for the headsails and boomfurling for the mizzen and mainsails. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2022 To me, this ship has a history and a story in its own right,’’ 32-year-old Don Heminitz said the other day while at work on the mizzen shrouds, which to a landlubber like me are ropes that help support the masts. BostonGlobe.com, 30 Oct. 2019 Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English mesan, probably from Old Spanish mesana sail set amidships, from Catalan mitjana, from feminine of mitjan of the middle, from Latin medianus — more at median
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
mizzen
noun
miz·zen ˈmi-zᵊn
1
: a fore-and-aft sail set on the mizzenmast
2
: mizzenmast