fife rail

noun

, Nautical.

a rail surrounding or next to the mast of a sailing vessel for use in holding the pins to which some of the running rigging is belayed.

fife rail

nautical a rail at the base of a mast of a sailing vessel, fitted with pins for belaying running rigging Compare pin rail

First recorded in 1715–25

C18: of unknown origin

Our strange mate stood against the fife-rail of the mainmast, apparently too intent on the sky and sea for speaking.

Harper standing on the fife rail at the crojack braces could have told them a different story.

"Clap on to that gant-line at the main fife-rail, and lift this bag of coffee out o' the lazarette," sang out the captain.

Had I remained by the fife-rail three seconds longer than I did, my brains would have been dashed out.

A box was placed on the fife-rail, at the mainmast, in which the ballots were deposited, under the inspection of Professor Mapps.

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