Definition

The mast on a sailing vessel located behind the mainmast, or the sail attached to this mast. On larger ships, it helps balance the vessel and improve maneuverability.

Example Usage

The captain ordered the crew to adjust the mizzen sail as the wind shifted.

Origin

From Italian 'mezzana' or Spanish 'mesana,' meaning 'middle,' as it's positioned between the main and rear masts.

Fun Fact

A ship's mizzen mast can be a tell-tale of its sailing era—medieval vessels had different mizzen configurations than 18th-century ships.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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