backstay

¹ American  

[bak-stey] / ˈbækˌsteɪ /

noun

1. Nautical. any of various shrouds forming part of a vessel's standing rigging and leading aft from masts above a lower mast to the sides or stern of the vessel in order to reinforce the masts against forward pull.

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backstay ² American  

[bak-stey] / ˈbækˌsteɪ /

noun

1. Machinery. a supporting or checking piece in a mechanism.

2. Building Trades. an anchored tension member, as a cable, permanently or temporarily supporting a compression member, as a tower or pole, subject to a pull above its base from the opposite direction.

3. a strip of leather at the back of a shoe used for reinforcement and sometimes to connect the quarters.

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backstay British  

/ ˈbækˌsteɪ /

noun

1. nautical a stay leading aft from the upper part of a mast to the deck or stern

2. machinery a supporting piece or arresting part

3. anything that supports or strengthens the back of something, such as leather covering the back seam of a shoe

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Etymology

Origin of backstay¹

First recorded in 1620–30; back ¹ + stay ³

Origin of backstay¹

First recorded in 1860–65; back ¹ + stay ²

Example Sentences

It has devised a way to race without a backstay - the system that tensions the rig - which gives it an aerodynamic advantage.

From Washington Times

It has devised a way to race without a backstay — the system that tensions the rig — which gives it an aerodynamic advantage.

From Seattle Times

A backstay floated dangling from it, stout rawhide rope, and I used this for lashing mast and keel together.

From Literature

This, with a few topmast and topgallant backstays cut away, and a few shot through our sails, is the only injury the Peacock has sustained.

From Project Gutenberg

A cord came down each side aslant to the gunwale, and was fastened there—these were the backstays to strengthen the mast when the wind blew rough.

From Project Gutenberg