n. Nautical 1. A fore-and-aft sail set on the mizzenmast. 2. A mizzenmast. [Middle English mesan, from Old French misaine, Old Spanish mezana or Old Italian mezzana, all ultimately from Latin mediānus, of the middle, from medius, middle; see medhyo- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] mizzen adj. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.