moonraker

English

WOTD – 5 March 2010

The moonraker is the sail at the very top of the mast.

Etymology

From moon +‎ raker.

(someone from Wiltshire): After a story in which some Wiltshire peasants, seeing the reflection of the moon in a shallow pool, tried to rake it out.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmuːn.ɹeɪ.kə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmuːn.ɹeɪ.kɚ/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

moonraker (plural moonrakers)

1. (colloquial) Someone from Wiltshire.
2. (nautical) A small, light sail located high on a mast (above the skysail) and used for speed.

Synonyms

• (small, light sail): moonsail

Related terms

• moonraking

Translations

small, light sail high on a mast

• Finnish: kuupurje
• French: cacatois (fr), perruche (fr), bonnette (fr)
• Russian: мунсель (ru) (munselʹ)
• Spanish: juanete (es), perico (es)

Further reading

• Moonrakers on Wikipedia.Wikipedia