Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

butter-rigged

adjective
butt·​er-rigged | \ ˈbətə(r)¦rigd, -ətə-\

Definition of butter-rigged

of a topsail schooner
: having the topgallant yard hoist with halyards rather than fixed by lifts

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for butter-rigged

butt entry 5 + -er; from the topgallant yard's being butted against the topsail yard when the sails are furled

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about butter-rigged

Share butter-rigged

Statistics for butter-rigged

Look-up Popularity

Comments on butter-rigged

What made you want to look up butter-rigged? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

orthography

Listen to the pronounciation of orthography

the way words of a language are spelled

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

A Green Quiz

  • shamrock
  • What is the best definition of green-eyed monster?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games