mainmast

3 definitions found

mainmast - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mainmast \Main"mast`\, n. (Naut.)
     The principal mast in a ship or other vessel.
     [1913 Webster]

  Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. maest, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw.
     mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Naut.) A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or
        spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the
        sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of
        several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a
        hollow pillar of iron or steel.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The tallest pine
              Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast
              Of some great ammiral.                --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The most common general names of masts are foremast,
           mainmast, and mizzenmast, each of which may be made
           of separate spars.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Aeronautics) A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys
        are attached for stiffening purposes.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     Afore the mast, Before the mast. See under Afore, and
        Before.
  
     Mast coat. See under Coat.
  
     Mast hoop, one of a number of hoops attached to the fore
        edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is
        raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in
        making a made mast. See Made.
        [1913 Webster]

mainmast - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  mainmast
      n 1: the chief mast of a sailing vessel with two or more masts