B2 adjective Literary

bowsprit

/ˈboʊ.sprɪt/

A strong pole or spar that projects forward from the stem (the front) of a sailing vessel. It is primarily used to extend the forestays and provide an anchor point for headsails like the jib.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.

The captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.

2

Specifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.

Specifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.

3

Check out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!

Check out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!

Word Family

Noun
bowsprit
Adjective
bowsprit-rigged
Related
bow
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'bow' (front of the ship) and a 'sprit' (like a sprout). The bowsprit 'sprouts' out of the front of the bow.

Quick Quiz

The sailor climbed out onto the ______ to adjust the lines for the jib sail.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bowsprit

Examples

1

The captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.

everyday

The captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.

2

Specifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.

formal

Specifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.

3

Check out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!

informal

Check out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!

4

The structural integrity of the bowsprit is essential for maintaining the tension of the forestay rigging.

academic

The structural integrity of the bowsprit is essential for maintaining the tension of the forestay rigging.

5

Our marine supply company offers custom carbon-fiber bowsprit extensions for modern racing yachts.

business

Our marine supply company offers custom carbon-fiber bowsprit extensions for modern racing yachts.

Word Family

Noun
bowsprit
Adjective
bowsprit-rigged
Related
bow

Common Collocations

wooden bowsprit wooden bowsprit
extend from the bowsprit extend from the bowsprit
bowsprit rigging bowsprit rigging
retractable bowsprit retractable bowsprit
shattered bowsprit shattered bowsprit

Common Phrases

over the bowsprit

over the bowsprit

lashed to the bowsprit

lashed to the bowsprit

the tip of the bowsprit

the tip of the bowsprit

Often Confused With

bowsprit vs bow

The bow is the entire front section of a ship, while the bowsprit is specifically the pole sticking out from it.

bowsprit vs figurehead

A figurehead is a decorative statue located just below the bowsprit.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is highly specific to nautical contexts. It is used when describing historical sailing ships or modern racing yachts that use extensions for large sails.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often misspell it as 'bowspirit' because they associate it with the 'spirit' of the ship, but the correct ending is 'sprit'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'bow' (front of the ship) and a 'sprit' (like a sprout). The bowsprit 'sprouts' out of the front of the bow.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Dutch word 'boegspriet', where 'boeg' means bow and 'spriet' means a spear or pole.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Often used with definite articles (the bowsprit) Plural: bowsprits
🌍

Cultural Context

The bowsprit is a classic image in pirate literature and 18th-century maritime history, often being the place where the figurehead was mounted.

Quick Quiz

The sailor climbed out onto the ______ to adjust the lines for the jib sail.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bowsprit

Related Words

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

people

A1

People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.

put

A1

To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.

mean

A1

To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.

keep

A1

To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.

begin

A1

To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.

seem

A1

To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.

help

A1

To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.

talk

A1

To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.

start

A1

To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.

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