Kitesail

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small, light sail carried high on a mast above the skysail of a square-rigged sailing ship
2. A lightweight topmost sail hoisted above the skysail on a traditional sailing vessel to catch faint winds
3. The highest and smallest sail on a square-rigged ship, set on a mast above the skysail to add speed in light breezes

Etymology: A kitesail was a small, light sail set high on a sailing ship's mast, above the royals, where it caught wind far overhead. The name is a plain compound of "kite" and "sail." Sailors gave it the name because the sail flew at the top of the rig the way a kite flies at the top of its string. The first part, "kite," is the familiar bird of prey, which was already in English in Old English as "cȳta." Using a bird's name for a flying object is an easy, descriptive step. The sail was named for its height and its flutter, not for any shape. Because the sail sat so high and was so easily blown about, it was used only in light winds. It was one of several high sails that sailors added or removed depending on the weather.

Synonyms: skysail