fid
[fid]
- 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.
Show More
Origin of fid
First recorded in 1605–15; origin uncertain
fid.
Show More
-fid
- a combining form meaning “divided,” “lobed,” occurring in adjectives borrowed from Latin (bifid); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (pinnatifid).
Show More
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. 2018
Examples from the Web for fid
Historical Examples
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
- a spike for separating strands of rope in splicing
- a wooden or metal bar for supporting the heel of a topmast
Show More
Word Origin
C17: of unknown origin
-fid
- divided into parts or lobesbifid; pinnatifid
Show More
Word Origin
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
Word Origin and History for fid
-fid
word-forming element meaning "split, divided into parts," from Latin -fidus, related to findere "to split" (see fissure).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper