sprit

The Sailor's Word-Book

[Anglo-Saxon, spreotas]. A small boom which crosses the sail of a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner: the lower end of the sprit rests in a sort of becket called the snotter, which encircles the mast at that place. These sails are accordingly called sprit-sails. Also, in a sheer-hulk, a spur or spar for keeping the sheers out to the required distance, so that their head should plumb with the centre of the ship when taking out or putting in masts.

Related Words

  • Sprit

    ·noun A shoot; a sprout. II. Sprit ·vi To throw out with force from a narrow orifice; to <<Eject>>;...

    Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

  • bolt-sprit

    See bowsprit. ...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • sprit-sail

    A sail formerly attached to a yard which hung under the bowsprit, and of importance in naval actions...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • sprit-sail yard

    A yard slung across the bowsprit, lashed to the knight-heads, and used to spread the guys of the jib...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • sprit-sail yarding

    A cruelty in which some fishermen wreak vengeance on sharks, dog-fish, &c., that encroach on their b...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • sprit-sail sheet knot

    May be crowned and walled, or double-walled, and is often used as a stopper-knot. ...

    The Sailor's Word-Book

  • sprit-sail top-sail

    A sail extended above the sprit-sail by a yard, which hung under the jib-boom. ♦ Top-gallant sprit...

    The Sailor's Word-Book