New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
Mizzen — Miz zen, a. [It. mezzana, fr. mezzano middle, fr. mezzo middle, half: cf. F. misaine foresail. See {Mezzo}.] (Naut.) Hindmost; nearest the stern; as, the mizzen shrouds, sails, etc. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
mizzen — early 15c., from M.Fr. misaine foresail, foremast, altered (by influence of It. mezzana mizzen ) from O.Fr. migenne, from Catalan mitjana, from L. medianus of the middle (see MEDIAN (Cf. median)). Klein suggests the French word is from Arabic,… … Etymology dictionary
Mizzen — Miz zen, n. (Naut.) The hindmost of the fore and aft sails of a three masted vessel; also, the spanker. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
mizzen — (also mizen) ► NOUN 1) (also mizzenmast) the mast aft of a ship s mainmast. 2) (also mizzensail) a sail on a mizzenmast. ORIGIN from Italian mezzano middle … English terms dictionary
mizzen — or mizen [miz′ən] adj. [LME meseyn < or akin to MFr misaine < It mezzana, fem. of mezzano, middle < L medianus: see MEDIAN] of the mizzenmast n. 1. a fore and aft sail set on the mizzenmast 2. MIZZENMAST … English World dictionary
mizzen — UK [ˈmɪz(ə)n] / US noun [countable] Word forms mizzen : singular mizzen plural mizzens a) the sail behind the main sail on a ship b) mizzen or mizzenmast the mast that holds the mizzen sail … English dictionary
mizzen — /miz euhn/, Naut. n. 1. a fore and aft sail set on a mizzenmast. Cf. crossjack, spanker (def. 1a). See diag. under ship. 2. mizzenmast. adj. 3. of or pertaining to a mizzenmast. 4. noting a sail, yard, boom, etc., or any rigging belonging to a… … Universalium
mizzen — miz|zen [ˈmızən] n 1.) also mizzen mast the ↑mast behind the main mast on a sailing ship 2.) also mizzen sail the main sail on a mizzen on a sailing ship … Dictionary of contemporary English
mizzen — noun (C) 1 also mizzen mast the mast behind the main mast on a sailing ship 2 also mizzen sail the main sail set lengthways on a mizzen on a sailing ship … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
Mizzen — Recorded in many forms, this is an English medieval surname. It is locational and derives not from sailing but from the parish of Misson, near Bawtry, in the county of Nottinghamshire. The placename is recorded in the famous Domesday Book of 1086 … Surnames reference
mizzen — miz|zen [ mızn ] noun count TECHNICAL the sail behind the main sail on a ship a. mizzen or mizzenmast the MAST that holds the mizzen sail … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
