[ noun ] third mast from the bow in a vessel having three or more masts; the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy <noun.artifact>
Mizzenmast \Miz"zen*mast\, n. (Naut.) the third mast from the bow in a vessel having three or more masts; the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy.
Note: The definition varies slightly with the dictionary; in some dictionaries it is the last mast of a three-masted vessel; in others, it is the mast after the mainmast of a vessel of three or more masts. PJC. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. m[ae]st, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw. mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.] 1. (Naut.) A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a hollow pillar of iron or steel.
The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast Of some great ammiral. --Milton.
Note: The most common general names of masts are {foremast}, {mainmast}, and {mizzenmast}, each of which may be made of separate spars.
2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
3. (A["e]ronautics) A spar or strut to which tie wires or guys are attached for stiffening purposes. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{Afore the mast}, {Before the mast}. See under {Afore}, and {Before}.
{Mast coat}. See under {Coat}.
{Mast hoop}, one of a number of hoops attached to the fore edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in making a made mast. See {Made}.