sprit

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablespecialist

   A small pole set diagonally across a sail to hold it stretched and raised.

   Grammar: Sailing term; used in compounds like spritsail.

   Patterns

   • the sprit of a sail

   The sailor lashed the sprit to the corner of the sail.

   A long sprit held the small boat's sail taut.

   The old fishing boat carried a sprit instead of a boom.

2. 2nouncountablearchaic

   A spar extending forward from the bow of a ship, the bowsprit.

   Grammar: Older use; usually bowsprit today.

   The sprit jutted out over the water at the front of the ship.

   Sailors climbed out onto the sprit to adjust the headsails.

   The figurehead sat under the sprit.

Word forms

Common combinations

sprit rig

A sprit rig is simple and easy to handle.

sprit boom

The boat has a sprit boom instead of a boom.

sprit sail

The dinghy carries a sprit sail.

set the sprit

He set the sprit before launching.

sprit pole

The sprit pole held the sail's peak high.

Synonyms and how they differ

spar

Spar is any pole holding sails, while sprit is a specific one set diagonally.

boom

A boom is horizontal and attached at the bottom of a sail, whereas a sprit crosses diagonally.

gaff

A gaff is a spar at the top edge of a sail, while a sprit crosses the sail diagonally.

Word family

spritsail noun

a sail held up by a sprit

bowsprit noun

a spar projecting from a ship's bow

sprit-rigged adjective

fitted with a sprit

Commonly confused: sprit or spirit? sprit or sprite?

Practice

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