mizzentmast
/ˈmɪz.ən.mɑːst/
noun
Origin
Arabic
mīzān — balance or scale
Overview
Meaning Now
- The third mast of a ship with three or more masts, or the aftermost mast in a ship with only two.
Literal older meaning
Middle mast (from older Mediterranean nomenclature where it was often the central of three)
Language path
Arabic → Italian → French → English
Earliest form
mesan
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The term originated from the lateen sail used on Mediterranean ships. In early rigging, the 'mizzen' was the sail used to balance the ship, leading to the Arabic root 'mīzān' (balance). As ship designs evolved to include more masts, the term became fixed to the mast supporting this sail.
Evolution
- Medieval Arabic
mīzān
“balance”
Used in maritime context for the lateen sail
- Medieval Italian
mezzana
“middle sail”
Transition through Mediterranean trade
- Middle French
misaine
“mizzen sail”
- Early Modern English
mizzenmast
“the third mast”
Addition of '-mast' for clarity
Connections
Word parts
mizzen
root
the sail or position
mast
root
a tall upright post
Related across languages
Italian
mezzana
mizzen sail
French
artimon
mizzenmast
Explore next
Related to mizzentmast
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.