jackstaff

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   nautical: a short staff fixed at a ship's bow or bowsprit cap from which the jack is flown

   A lantern hung from the ferryboat's jackstaff above the bow.

A compound of jack, in its nautical sense 'a small national flag flown by a ship,' and staff. The closed spelling jackstaff and the open form jack staff are both attested.

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