mizzen

English

Alternative forms

• mizen

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French misaine, modified from Old French migenne (through influence from Italian mezzana), from Old Catalan mitjana, feminine of mitjan, ultimately from Latin medianus. Doublet of mean and median.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmɪ.zən/

Noun

mizzen (plural mizzens)

1. (nautical) Mizzenmast.
2. (nautical) A fore-and-aft sail set on a mizzenmast.
   • 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, H.L. Brækstad, transl., Folk and Fairy Tales, page 191:

     "'Oh yes, that's all very well, but we haven't done with it yet,' said the lad, 'we shall have it worse directly,' and he ordered them to furl every rag but the mizen."

Derived terms

• mizzenmast
• mizzensail
• mizzentop

Translations

mizzenmast — see mizzenmast

mizzenmast sail

• Finnish: mesaani, mesaanipurje
• French: artimon (fr) m

• Norman: mîsaine f, vaile d'artimon f

Adjective

mizzen (not comparable)

1. (nautical) Hindmost; nearest the stern.

   the mizzen shrouds, sails, etc.