foremast
(ˈfɔəmɑːst, -æ-)
[f. fore- prefix (and fore prep.) + mast.]
1. The forward lower-mast in all vessels.
| 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's E. Ind. ix. 25 b, The tacklings of their formast. 1591 Percivall Sp. Dict., Ostay, a cord that goeth from the boltsprit to the saile of the foremast. 1697 W. Dampier Voy. I. xvi. 452 The fury of the Wind..snapt off the Boltsprit and Fore-mast both at once. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. i, The Mate and Boat⁓swain begg'd the Master of our Ship to let them cut away the Fore-mast. 1848 W. Irving Columbus I. 240 The latter..from the weakness of her foremast, could not hold the wind. |
2. ? The station of being ‘before the mast’; only attrib., as foremast man, seaman, a sailor below the rank of a petty officer; hence quasi-adj., characteristic of a foremast man.
| 1626 Capt. Smith Accid. Yng. Seamen 6 The Younkers are the yong men called Foremast men. 1707 Lond. Gaz. No. 4366/3 Eighty of the Foremast-Men belonging to the Jersey were..order'd to be discharg'd. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §163 In the light of a foremast seaman, he appeared to be quite a Genius. 1823 Byron Island ii. xx, His foremast air, and somewhat rolling gait..spoke his former state. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 303 He was inferior in seamanship to every foremast man on board. |