bobstay

American  

[bob-stey] / 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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bobstay

"I reckon I know the bobstay from the mainmast."

From A Victorious Union by Optic, Oliver

There Vane replaced the broken bobstay with a solid piece of steel, and then sat down to write a letter while Carroll stretched his cramped limbs ashore.

From Vane of the Timberlands by Bindloss, Harold

Then a figure crawled out on the spar projecting above his head, seized him by the collar, and lifted him from the bobstay to which he was clinging on to the bowsprit.

From One of the 28th A Tale of Waterloo by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

The jib, however, must be hauled down; and with a hoarse shout to Moran, Jimmy lowered himself from the bowsprit until he felt the wire bobstay under his feet.

From The Secret of the Reef by Bindloss, Harold

The bobstay has a loop at the nose and ends in a turnbuckle that fastens to the anchor plate under the cockpit, aft.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.