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spinnaker Definition

spin·na·ker (spinə kər)

noun

a large, triangular, baggy headsail used on some racing yachts when running before the wind

Etymology: said to be < spinx, altered after Sphinx, name of a yacht which carried the sail

spinnaker Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • hoist: It is unseamanlike for a yacht to hoist a spinnaker in the congested waters above the College of Maritime Studies jetty.
  • fly: We were slowly being passed by yachts flying colorful spinnakers.
  • drop: The wind shifted and we took a heading heading slightly toward Brixham before dropping the spinnaker, hardening up and making for Dartmouth.
  • use: There was split decision about using the spinnaker on the reach.
  • have: Of course if you have a spinnaker in the chute it stops the water getting in!
  • put: We put a spinnaker on, and it got quite windy and the waves got big.

Adjective modifier

  • asymmetric: Laser 3000 Association website RS 400 A 4.5 meter high performance boat with the excitement of the asymmetric spinnaker.
  • colorful: We were slowly being passed by yachts flying colorful spinnakers.
  • conventional: However there is still room to learn on transom main boats and conventional spinnakers, so everyone's tastes are catered for.
  • heavy: Exactly the same thing happened in the Southern Ocean to the other pole, with serious collateral damage to the heavy weight spinnaker.
  • huge: You will find downwind sailing under that huge spinnaker exciting.
  • symmetric: This was altered in 1928 to the current spruce Bermudan rig with the symmetric spinnaker being adopted in 1969.

Modifies a noun

  • halyard: Echo took fourth place but Bertie retired after losing her spinnaker halyard up the mast.
  • pole: However, we have to keep a constant eye on the spinnaker pole, which has developed a mind of its own.
  • sail: All that was missing was a spinnaker sail to assist us up the steep Down Uplands.
  • sheet: Then we had the problem that we were only rigged with single spinnaker sheets.
  • bag: The chute works - although I am told spinnaker bags are better.
  • work: But not their spinnaker work - the race officer had decided that the conditions were too severe for them to be deployed.

Noun used with modifier

  • weight: Exactly the same thing happened in the Southern Ocean to the other pole, with serious collateral damage to the heavy weight spinnaker.

Browse dictionary entries near spinnaker

  1. spininess
  2. spinifex
  3. spiniferous
  4. spinet
  5. spinescent
  6. spineless
  7. spinel
  8. spine-tingling
  9. spine
  10. spindrift
  1. spinner
  2. spinneret
  3. spinney
  4. spinning
  5. spinning frame
  6. spinning jenny
  7. spinning mule
  8. spinning wheel
  9. spinoff
  10. spinose