motorsailer
motorsailer Lexical Profile
motorsailer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A type of vessel designed to be propelled efficiently by both an internal combustion engine and sails, typically featuring a larger engine than a conventional sailboat and a smaller sail area than a dedicated sailing yacht.
"Seeking the reliability of an engine alongside the option to cruise silently on windy days, the retired couple decided to cross the Atlantic in a specialized motorsailer."
Word Nuance & Usage
While technically a sailboat, a true motorsailer is uniquely designed with a hull and rigging that prioritize engine and sail power almost equally, contrasting with a standard sailboat that only uses an auxiliary engine for docking or emergencies.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'motor' and 'sailer', originating in the early 20th century to describe hybrid vessels explicitly designed to combine the characteristics of a motorboat and a sailing yacht.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.