moonraker

WOTD - 5 March 2010    

English

Wikipedia

A clipper reducing sails before a gale. A cheer for the brave men hauling in the skysails! (moonrakers have of course been previously stowed down).

Etymology

moon +‎ raker

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈmuːn.ɹeɪ.kə/, X-SAMPA: /"mu:n.r\eI.k@/
• (US) IPA: /ˈmuːn.ɹeɪ.kɚ/, X-SAMPA: /"mu:n.r\eI.k@`/

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 (fi) French: cacatois (fr), perruche (fr), bonnette (fr)

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