main-topsail

[ meyn-top-seyl; Nautical meyn-top-suh l ]

/ ˌmeɪnˈtɒpˌseɪl; Nautical ˌmeɪnˈtɒp səl /

a topsail set on the mainmast.

Origin of main-topsail

First recorded in 1610–20

The foresail was still standing, also half of the maintopsail.

Grace Darling |Eva Hope
In the P.M. unbent the Maintopsail to repair, and brought another to the Yard and set it close reefed.

Captain Cook's Journal During the First Voyage Round the World |James Cook
Yes, down goes the coil of the maintopsail halyards, and here they come stamping aft.

There She Blows! |William Hussey Macy
When half a mile from the islets, the main-yard was braced aback, and the maintopsail was laid to the mast.

Jack Tier or The Florida Reef |James Fenimore Cooper

As soon as effected, the maintopsail was again filled, and away the ship glided.

Jack Tier or The Florida Reef |James Fenimore Cooper

maintopsail

/ (ˌmeɪnˈtɒpseɪl, nautical ˌmeɪnˈtɒpsəl) /

nautical a topsail set on the mainmast