mizzenmast
    n 1: third mast from the bow in a vessel having three or more
         masts; the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch, or
         dandy [syn: mizzenmast, mizenmast, mizzen, mizen]

Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. maest, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw.
   mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]
   [1913 Webster]
   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The tallest pine
            Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast
            Of some great ammiral.                --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The most common general names of masts are foremast,
         mainmast, and mizzenmast, each of which may be made
         of separate spars.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Aeronautics) 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.
      [1913 Webster]

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]