fid

[ fid ]

nounNautical.
  1. a stout bar of wood or metal placed across a lower spar so as to support a higher one.

  2. a stout bar used to hold a running bowsprit in its extended position.

  1. a wooden or metal pin for parting strands of a rope.

  2. a bar or pin used as a key or toggle.

Origin of fid

1
First recorded in 1605–15; origin uncertain

Other definitions for -fid (2 of 3)

-fid

  1. a combining form meaning “divided,” “lobed,” occurring in adjectives borrowed from Latin (bifid); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (pinnatifid).

Origin of -fid

2
<Latin -fidus divided, equivalent to -fid- (variant stem of findere to split) + -us adj. suffix

Other definitions for fid. (3 of 3)

fid.

abbreviation
  1. fiduciary.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fid in a sentence

  • He accordingly shut the great doors, and put the fid into the staple.

  • The doors cannot be opened again until the fid is taken out.

  • He whispered his ideas also to Harry and Tim fid, who agreed to keep a watchful eye on the prisoners.

    True Blue | W.H.G. Kingston
  • fid immediately handed a brace of pistols and a dirk to True Blue, and together they rushed aft.

    True Blue | W.H.G. Kingston
  • To prevent his companions from seizing his weapons, fid drew them from his pocket and bolted off with them round the deck.

    True Blue | W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for fid (1 of 2)

fid

/ (fɪd) /


nounnautical
  1. a spike for separating strands of rope in splicing

  2. a wooden or metal bar for supporting the heel of a topmast

Origin of fid

1
C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for -fid (2 of 2)

-fid

adj combining form
  1. divided into parts or lobes: bifid; pinnatifid

Origin of -fid

2
from Latin -fidus, from findere to split

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012