after mast
Very Low (C2)Technical / Nautical
Definition
Meaning
A nautical term for a small auxiliary mast stepped behind the mainmast, typically on a sailing vessel.
In modern usage, it can refer to any secondary or smaller mast located aft of the primary mast. It is a fixed compound noun describing a specific part of a ship's rigging.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a highly specialised nautical term. It is not a phrasal verb ('after' + 'mast') but a fixed noun compound. Understanding requires knowledge of sailing ship architecture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both British and American nautical terminology use the term identically.
Connotations
Technical, historical, or related to traditional sailing. No emotional connotation.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language. Used only in specific contexts like shipbuilding, historical sailing, or model making.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [adjective] after mast [verb].They repaired the after mast.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, maritime, or engineering papers discussing sailing ship design.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in nautical engineering, sailing manuals, and ship restoration.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The after-mast rigging was replaced.
- They inspected the after mast section.
American English
- The after-mast rigging was replaced.
- They inspected the after mast section.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ship has three masts: the foremast, the mainmast, and the after mast.
- During the storm, the after mast was damaged and had to be secured with extra lines.
- The schooner's design featured a noticeably shorter after mast, which balanced its sail plan for better windward performance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the order on a ship: Fore (front) mast, Main mast, AFTER mast (at the back).
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this technical term.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate word-for-word as 'после мачты'. The correct equivalent is 'бизань-мачта' (on a three-masted ship) or a descriptive term like 'кормовая мачта'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to after mast').
- Confusing it with 'aftermost' (meaning furthest aft).
- Adding a hyphen incorrectly (it's not 'after-mast').
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'after mast'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very specialised nautical term unlikely to be encountered outside of sailing, history, or literature about ships.
No, it is exclusively a noun. It refers to a physical object on a ship.
On a specific three-masted ship (e.g., a ship rig), the after-most mast is called the mizzen mast. 'After mast' is a more general term for any mast behind the main one, which could be on a two-masted vessel where it wouldn't be called a mizzen.
In British English, it's /ˈɑːftə ˌmɑːst/. In American English, it's /ˈæftər ˌmæst/. The stress is on the first syllable of 'after'.