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Webster 1913 Edition

Sloop

Sloop

,
Noun.
[D.
sloep
, of uncertain origin. Cf.
Shallop
.]
1.
(Naut.)
A vessel having one mast and fore-and-aft rig, consisting of a boom-and-gaff mainsail, jibs, staysail, and gaff topsail. The typical sloop has a fixed bowsprit, topmast, and standing rigging, while those of a cutter are capable of being readily shifted. The sloop usually carries a centerboard, and depends for stability upon breadth of beam rather than depth of keel. The two types have rapidly approximated since 1880. One radical distinction is that a sloop may carry a centerboard. See
Cutter
, and Illustration in Appendix.
Sloop of war
,
formerly, a vessel of war rigged either as a ship, brig, or schooner, and mounting from ten to thirty-two guns; now, any war vessel larger than a gunboat, and carrying guns on one deck only.

Webster 1828 Edition

Sloop

SLOOP

,
Noun.
A vessel with one mast, the main-sail of which is attached to a gaff above, to a boom below, and to the mast on its foremost edge. It differs from a cutter by having a fixed steeving bowsprit, and a jib-stay. Sloops are of various sizes, from the size of a boat to that of more than 100 tons burthen.

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