cap jib: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (Specialized / Technical)Technical (sailing/maritime)
Quick answer
What does “cap jib” mean?
The forwardmost triangular staysail on a sailing vessel, set between the top of the foremast and the bowsprit or jibboom.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The forwardmost triangular staysail on a sailing vessel, set between the top of the foremast and the bowsprit or jibboom.
A specific type of jib sail, often larger than the standard jib, used on older square-rigged sailing ships or certain modern yachts. It is a key sail for sailing close to the wind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in both dialects within the specialized context of sailing. There is no notable spelling or term variation.
Connotations
Connotes traditional sailing knowledge, seamanship, and specific technical rigging. No emotional or cultural difference between UK/US usage.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both regions, confined to sailors, historians, and maritime enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “cap jib” in a Sentence
The cap jib + [verb: was set/ripped/reefed][Crew/They] + [verb: set/hoisted/furled] + the cap jibVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical, maritime, or technical engineering papers related to sailing ship design.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside of sailing contexts.
Technical
The primary context. Used in sailing manuals, among crew, and in boat design/rigging specifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cap jib”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to cap jib').
- Confusing it with a 'jib cap', which is a fitting on the jib boom.
- Assuming it is general vocabulary.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized nautical term rarely encountered outside sailing or historical maritime contexts.
No, it is exclusively a compound noun referring to a specific type of sail.
A 'jib' is a general term for a triangular staysail set forward of the foremast. A 'cap jib' is a specific type of jib, typically the foremost one, set from the cap of the foremast or the jibboom.
The term is less common on modern yachts, which more often use terms like 'genoa' or simply 'jib'. 'Cap jib' is more associated with traditional square-riggers or specific classic yacht rigs.
The forwardmost triangular staysail on a sailing vessel, set between the top of the foremast and the bowsprit or jibboom.
Cap jib is usually technical (sailing/maritime) in register.
Cap jib: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkap ˈʤɪb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkæp ˈʤɪb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAP on the very front (head) of the ship; the CAP JIB is the sail that fits on that forward 'cap' of the rigging.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly concrete, technical term)
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cap jib' primarily associated with?