Definition

A sailor who is assigned to work in the foretop, which is a platform high up on a ship's mast.

Example

The foretopman climbed up the rigging to check the sails.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new foretopman they hired on the ship?

Yeah, I heard he's got a lot of experience sailing.

I wonder how he’ll fit in with the crew as a foretopman.

I think he’ll do great; everyone needs to work together up there.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Foretopman → It is formed from "fore-" (meaning front or before) and "top" (from Old English *top*, meaning the highest point) and "man" (meaning a person). A foretopman is a sailor who works at the front of the ship, specifically in the highest part of the rigging.

Memory Tip

Think of someone at the 'front' ('fore-') of the 'highest point' ('top') of a ship — that's why a foretopman is a sailor working up high at the front.

Visually Confused Words