[f. FORE- pref. + SAIL; = Ger. vorsegel.] The principal sail set on the foremast; in square-rigged vessels, the lowest square sail on the foremast; in fore-and-aft rigged, the triangular sail before the mast.
1481–90. Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.), 50. Item, for a bolte roppe for the foreseile viij.d. ob.
1582. N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., xxix. 72 b. They brought themselues vnder their foresailes againe.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Urania, Wks., 1.
| See here the Pride and Knowledge of a Sayler, | |
| His Sprit-saile, Fore-saile, Main-saile, & his Mizzen; | |
| A poore fraile man, God wot, I know none frailer: | |
| J know for Sinners, Christ is dead, and rizen. |
1745. P. Thomas, Jrnl. Anson’s Voy., 27. The next Day we split the Fore-sail and unbent it, and bent another.
1855. O. W. Holmes, Poems, The Steamship, 165.
| And many a foresail, scooped and strained, | |
| Shall break from yard and stay, | |
| Before this smoky wreath has stained | |
| The rising mist of day. |
attrib. 1549. Compl. Scot., vi. 40. Hail eftir the foir sail scheit, hail out the bollene.
