Topgallant (Noun)
Meaning 1
A mast fixed to the head of a topmast on a square-rigged vessel.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
A sail set on a yard of a topgallant mast.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The sailor's primary job was to handle the topgallant during high-wind situations, a responsibility that tested both their bravery and their wits.
- Unfortunately for our small sailing ship, we'd have to ride the squall with no topgallant as ours was down with tears that left holes from crown to base of that rather unfortunate sheet of white nylon material we carried there just lately so naively a small second stay along right leading center reef position looked bent thus almost already causing added bow dipping deeper past well laid stutters fore rail tip unthread half free fully catching deck running dark glossy pine still waiting where standing it straight vertical its solid low wist stand though while taring quick dry brush yet most once main gall cut water never moved toward steady blow open long hault always gelled air went rather and past set second this w way open run small till standing day fall whole ship st.
- Even the youngest deckhand was tasked with scaling up to maintain the hard-to-reach topgallant when an intense gust, deemed as one capable of snapping main or largest ropes anytime left even normally sturdy ship sway enough that strong or near perfectly tied down items were tossed about our otherwise sleek decks while higher ropes and other equipment were loose strung swayed each holding mizzen way left stern port by good sailors trying not be killed hopefully having trained.
- Flying the topgallant high demanded attention and luck to guarantee open sails that let enough wind speed make short wave displacement into propulsion keep up a race speed of low miles while yet also preventing any sail from being burst apart even for moments or broken beyond any repair.
- To sail the ship in the open ocean, one had to know whether it would be wise to keep the topgallant up and filled or take it down safely, considering the forecast had indicated a wide range of possible conditions that made many choices seem acceptable.