Definition

A type of sailing ship that has three to five masts, where only the front mast is rigged with square sails, and the other masts are rigged with sails that are set along the length of the ship.

Example

The barkentine sailed gracefully across the ocean, its sails catching the wind.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a barkentine?

Yeah, I think it's a type of sailing ship, right?

Exactly! It's got a square-rigged foremast and the others are fore-and-aft rigged.

That sounds really interesting! I'd love to see one in person.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Barkentine → The word originates from the combination of 'bark' (from Middle Dutch *barque*, meaning a small ship) and the suffix '-entine' (which is a diminutive suffix used in ship names). A barkentine is a type of sailing vessel that is smaller than a full ship, typically with two masts.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'bark' as a small ship, and the '-entine' suggests it's a smaller version of a ship, helping you remember that a barkentine is a type of small sailing vessel.

Visually Confused Words