topsail

From Middle English topsail, topsayl, topseyle, topsaill, equivalent to top +‎ sail.

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈtɑp.seɪl/, /ˈtɑp.səl/
• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtɒp.seɪl/, /ˈtɒp.səl/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

topsail (plural topsails)

1. (nautical) A sail or either of the two sails rigged just above the course sail and supported by the topmast on a square-rigged sailing ship.
2. (nautical) In a fore-and-aft-rigged sailing boat, the sail that is set above the gaff at the top part of the mast.

• club topsail
• gaff-topsail, Gaff Topsail

• 'ospital, apostil