Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A light yard on a military mast fitted with blocks for signal-halyards from which various signals can readily be displayed.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word signal-yard.

Examples

  • At the same time a string of small flags arose to the signal-yard, and when Captain Bacon had found this combination in his code-book, he read with amazement: "Heave to or take the consequences."

    "Where Angels Fear to Tread" and Other Stories of the Sea Morgan Robertson 1888

  • And in the eyepiece at its base Metcalf beheld a thin thread of light, of such dazzling brilliancy as to momentarily blind him, stretch over the sea; but he put on his smoked glasses and turned the apparatus, tube and all, until the thin pencil of light touched the end of the torpedo-boat's signal-yard.

    The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility Morgan Robertson 1888

  • The line of formation was broken, staggered, and disordered; and, though the big ships were making good weather of it, they were steering badly, and on one of them, half-way to the signal-yard, was the appeal for help that ships of all nations use and recognize -- the ensign, upside-down.

    The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility Morgan Robertson 1888

  • Mr. Smith bowed to his superior, found the numbers of these commands in the code book, and with a string of small flags at the signal-yard, and every man aboard viewing the world darkly through a smoky film, the torpedo-boat approached the stranger at thirty knots.

    The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility Morgan Robertson 1888

  • He was aroused from his somewhat gloomy reverie by observing a signal fluttering up to the signal-yard of the flagship.

    A Chinese Command A Story of Adventure in Eastern Seas Harry Collingwood 1886

  • Further conversation was out of the question, for at this moment there came the boom of a gun, followed by a string of flags fluttering up to the signal-yard of the _Ting Yuen_, which, interpreted, signified that the flagship's anchor was up and that she was under way.

    A Chinese Command A Story of Adventure in Eastern Seas Harry Collingwood 1886

  • Frobisher was unable to spend any more time watching the strange game that seemed to be going on, being fully occupied as soon as he got on board in giving orders to his officers to prepare the ship for proceeding to sea, the signal for which, as Ting had said, was now flying from the signal-yard of the _Ting Yuen_.

    A Chinese Command A Story of Adventure in Eastern Seas Harry Collingwood 1886

  • You are a pirate, and I could string you up to my signal-yard and escape criticism. "

    The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility Morgan Robertson 1888

  • Mr. Smith came in with the prisoners, but he said nothing of an invisible light -- only of a strong searchlight with which you set fire to the signal-yard. "

    The Wreck of the Titan or, Futility Morgan Robertson 1888

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.