spinnaker

spin·na·ker

S0642700 (spĭn′ə-kər)n. A large triangular headsail secured only at the corners, used on sailboats when running before the wind.

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[Perhaps ultimately from Sphinx, name of the first yacht to use such a sail, or spin, to move rapidly (variant of Scots spene, to run before the wind; see spindrift).]

spinnaker

(ˈspɪnəkə; ˈspæŋkə) n (Sailing) a large light triangular racing sail set from the foremast of a yacht when running or on a broad reach[C19: probably from spin + (mo)niker, but traditionally derived from Sphinx, the yacht that first adopted this type of sail]

spin•na•ker

(ˈspɪn ə kər)

n. a large, usu. triangular sail carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind or when the wind is abaft the beam. [1865–70; orig. uncertain]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

spinnaker - a large and usually triangular headsail; carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the windheadsail - any sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel

Translations

spinnakerspinnaker