Foremast

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The forward mast of a ship or sailing vessel, positioned ahead of the main mast
2. The foremost vertical pole on a vessel that supports sails and rigging, situated toward the bow and typically used for navigation and propulsion
3. A key structural element of sailing vessels, the forward mast extends upward at the front, contributing to the support of sails and aiding in maneuvering

Etymology: The foremast is the mast nearest the bow of a ship, and its name is simply a compound of two older English words. "Fore" meant "front" or "before," the same sense it keeps in "forehead" and "foreground," while "mast" is the upright spar that carries a ship's sails. Put together, the name describes exactly where the spar stands: at the forward end of the vessel. The logic of the name explains why it matters on a ship. On a traditional square-rigged vessel, the foremast was the first of the main masts counting from the bow, and the word "foremast" was long used in sailing talk to mean not just the spar but the section of the crew who worked it. The compound carries no hidden metaphor; its story is a plain description of position that sailors kept in daily use.

Synonyms: mast