mizzen

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French misaine, modified from Old French migenne (through influence from Italian mezzana), from Old Catalan mitjana, feminine of mitjan, ultimately from Latin medianus. Doublet of mean and median.

noun

  1. (nautical) Mizzenmast.
  2. (nautical) A fore-and-aft sail set on a mizzenmast.
    "'Oh yes, that's all very well, but we haven't done with it yet,' said the lad, 'we shall have it worse directly,' and he ordered them to furl every rag but the mizen." 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 191

adj

  1. (nautical) Hindmost; nearest the stern.
    the mizzen shrouds, sails, etc.

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