moonraker

moonraker

English

WOTD – 5 March 2010

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

Etymology

moon +‎ raker

Pronunciation

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

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Noun

moonraker (plural moonrakers)

1. Someone from Wiltshire. (After a story in which some Wiltshire peasants, seeing the reflection of the moon in a pool, tried to rake it out.)
2. (nautical) A small, light sail located high on a mast (above the skysail) and used for speed.

Synonyms

• (small, light sail): moonsail

Translations

small, light sail high on a mast

Finnish: kuupurje French: cacatois (fr), perruche (fr), bonnette (fr)

Russian: мунсель (munselʹ) Spanish: juanete (es), perico (es)

Further reading

• Moonrakers on Wikipedia.Wikipedia