spinnaker

views updated Jun 11 2018

spin·na·ker / ˈspinəkər/ • n. a large three-cornered sail, typically bulging when full, set forward of the mainsail of a yacht when running before the wind.

spinnaker

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

spinnaker

views updated May 21 2018

spinnaker (naut.) three-cornered sail carried by racing yachts. XIX. Said to be a fanciful formation on spinks, mispronunciation of Sphinx, name of the first yacht that commonly carried the sail
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The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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