forestay

[ fawr-stey, fohr- ]

noun

1. a stay leading aft and upward from the stem or knightheads of a vessel to the head of the fore lower mast; the lowermost stay of a foremast.
2. a stay leading aft and upwards toward the mainmast of a sloop, knockabout, cutter, ketch, yawl, or dandy.

forestay

/ ˈfɔːˌsteɪ /

noun

1. nautical an adjustable stay leading from the truck of the foremast to the deck, stem, or bowsprit, for controlling the motion or bending of the mast

Word History and Origins

Origin of forestay¹

First recorded in 1325–75, forestay is from the Middle English word forstay. See fore-, stay ³

Example Sentences

Then the lantern in the forestay bobbed down and up, and he came back to where Trask stood.

From Project Gutenberg

Two engineers sawed nearly through the mast at its base, while the others cleared away the light shrouds and forestay.

From Project Gutenberg

Bidding the mate hang a riding light on the forestay, Lowry got his night glasses, and turned them upon the fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Needless to say, we had hoisted no lantern on the forestay since the night the other boats had driven away from us or gone down.

From Project Gutenberg

They had hung a red light on the forestay, and a white light over her port quarter, and lights flitted about her gangway.

From Project Gutenberg