¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Topsails
1. topsail [n] - See also: topsail
Lexicographical Neighbors of Topsails
Literary usage of Topsails
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The Kedge-anchor; Or, Young Sailors' Assistant: Or, Young Sailors' Assistant by William N. Brady (1864)
"Reduce sail regularly, and clew down the topsails ; luff enough to reef, ...
Reduce sail to topsails, station the crew forward, with one watch of top- men ..."
2. Two Years Before the Mast: A Personal Narrative by Richard Henry Dana (1911)
"... set our topsails, ran the stars and stripes up to the peak, fired a gun, which
was returned from the presidio, and left the little town astern, ..."
3. The Private Journal of Aaron Burr, During His Residence of Four Years in by Aaron Burr (1838)
"About nine this evening the wind has so far abated that we set all our topsails,
but reefed. The day and evening clear and fine, except too cold. ..."
4. Hansard's Parliamentary Debates by Great Britain Parliament, Thomas Curson Hansard (1845)
"Close-hauled with a head sea : " Under double-reefed topsails and ... Under
treble-reefed topsails and courses? —Never tried under these circumstances. ..."
5. The Kedge-anchor, Or, Young Sailors' Assistant: Appertaining Tothe Practical by William N. Brady (1882)
"STRUCK BY A SQUALL UNDER WHOLE topsails AND COURSERS. Up helm, let fly the topsail
halliards, main-sheet, spanker out, haul, and lee-topsail sheets; ..."
Other Resources:
