mizen

Mizen is a historical spelling of the nautical term mizzen, referring to the aftmost mast on a sailing vessel and to the sail attached to it. In ships with three masts—foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast—the mizzen is the rearward mast, behind the mainmast. The sail on this mast is called the mizzen sail, and on larger rigs it may include a topsail.

In modern usage, mizzen is the standard form, while mizen appears mainly in older texts or as a variant spelling. The mizzen (and its sail) serves to add balance and maneuverability to a vessel, especially in certain wind conditions. On many vessels, the mizzen helps with steering and trim; on some schooners and other mult mast rigs, the aft mast is explicitly identified as the mizzen.

Other uses of the term include geographical names and cultural references. Mizen Head is a prominent headland at the southwestern tip of the Mizen Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland, known for its lighthouse and scenic views. The name Mizen is also encountered as a surname or place-name element in various contexts.

In summary, mizen is an alternative spelling historically used for the mizzen—the aft mast and its sail on a sailing vessel—an element whose function is to contribute balance and handling, while today the spelling mizzen is more common.