English edit

 
The red sail is the mainsail.

Etymology edit

From main +‎ sail.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈmeɪnseɪl/, /ˈmeɪnsəl/[1]
  • (file)

Noun edit

mainsail (plural mainsails)

  1. (nautical) The largest (or only) sail on a sailing vessel.

Synonyms edit

  • main (mainsail)

Translations edit

References edit

  1. ^ Jespersen, Otto (1909) A Modern English Grammar on Historical Principles (Sammlung germanischer Elementar- und Handbücher; 9)‎[1], volumes I: Sounds and Spellings, London: George Allen & Unwin, published 1961, § 9.62, page 268.