Innermast

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The mast on a sailing vessel that stands closest to the middle of the ship, located between the mainmast and the foremast in multi-masted rigs
2. A spar set in the inner position on a multi-masted sailing ship, positioned just aft of the foremast and forward of the mainmast
3. On a vessel carrying several masts, the one placed nearest the centerline, supporting sails between the other masts in the rig

Etymology: The innermast is a compound of "inner" and "mast," and its history is plain. "Mast" comes from Old English "mæst," a word for the upright spar that carries a ship's sails, and it is related to the Germanic words for tree trunk, which explains the sense: a mast was originally a tall, straight tree shaped for the job. "Inner" comes from Old English "innera," the comparative of "in," so it means "more within" or "further in." Together the two words describe the mast nearer the centre of a ship, as opposed to the outer ones at the bow or stern.