fid
[fid]
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noun Nautical.
a stout bar of wood or metal placed across a lower spar so as to support a higher one.
a stout bar used to hold a running bowsprit in its extended position.
a wooden or metal pin for parting strands of a rope.
a bar or pin used as a key or toggle.
Origin of fid
First recorded in 1605–15; origin uncertain
fid.
-fid
Origin of -fid
< Latin -fidus divided, equivalent to -fid- (variant stem of findere to split) + -us adj. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for fid
Historical Examples of fid
Heeling is the square part of the spar through which the fid hole is cut.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
The rope which Fid secured made the task comparatively, easy.
True BlueW.H.G. Kingston
He accordingly shut the great doors, and put the fid into the staple.
Rollo's Philosophy. [Air]Jacob Abbott
The doors cannot be opened again until the fid is taken out.
Rollo's Philosophy. [Air]Jacob Abbott
The fid should always be fastened to the cross-trees or trestle-trees, by a lanyard.
The Seaman's FriendRichard Henry Dana
fid
noun nautical
Word Origin for fid
C17: of unknown origin
-fid
adj combining form
Word Origin for -fid
from Latin -fidus, from findere to split
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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-fid
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper