bobstay

American  

[bob-stay] / ˈbɒbˌsteɪ /

noun

Nautical.

1. a rope, chain, or rod from the outer end of the bowsprit to the cutwater.

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bobstay British  

/ ˈbɒbˌsteɪ /

noun

1. a strong stay between a bowsprit and the stem of a vessel for holding down the bowsprit

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Etymology

Origin of bobstay

First recorded in 1750–60; bob ¹ + stay ³

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bobstay

Iron plates by which the lower end of the bobstay is attached to the stem.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Sir Edward Belcher

Strikes ’em as they play under the bobstay, you know.”

From Menhardoc by C.J. Staniland

Almost by a miracle, the captain clutched at the bobstay and managed to get one hand up and over the bowsprit.

From The Cruise of the Dazzler by Jack London

Dropping their oars, the plucky British tars sprang into the chains, swarmed up the bobstay and over the bow, and used each other's backs as ladders to aid them to reach the schooner's deck.

From The Naval History of the United States Volume 1 by Willis J. (Willis John) Abbot

And the bobstay smashing the big blue deep, While under my hand The kicking tiller groans Its oaken soul out in a gray despair.

From The House of Torchy by Arthur William Brown

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