Naut. Also stu’n-sail, stun’-sail, stunsel. Contraction, representing the ordinary pronunciation, of STUDDING-SAIL.

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1762.  Falconer, Shipwr., I. 225. Now swelling stu’n-sails on each side extend.

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1863.  Reade, Hard Cash, I. xi. 267. All hands set stunsels ’low and aloft!

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1913.  M. Roberts, Salt of the Sea, ix. 216. His ears [were] large and outstanding, like a couple of stunsails.

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  attrib.  1825.  H. B. Gascoigne, Nav. Fame, 49. The Stunsail Booms they raise.

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1850.  H. Melville, White Jacket, xlv. I … was ordered to reeve anew the stun’-sail-halyards.

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