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• fid
  fid

  noun

  a stout bar of wood or metal placed across a lower spar so as to support a higher one.
• -fid
  -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 ).
• fid.
  fid.

  abbreviation

  fiduciary.

fid

¹ American  

[fid] / fɪd /

noun

Nautical.

1. a stout bar of wood or metal placed across a lower spar so as to support a higher one.

2. a stout bar used to hold a running bowsprit in its extended position.

3. a wooden or metal pin for parting strands of a rope.

4. a bar or pin used as a key or toggle.

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-fid ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “divided,” “lobed,” occurring in adjectives borrowed from Latin (bifid ); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (pinnatifid ).

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fid. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. fiduciary.

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fid ¹ British  

/ fɪd /

noun

1. a spike for separating strands of rope in splicing

2. a wooden or metal bar for supporting the heel of a topmast

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-fid ² British  

combining form

1. divided into parts or lobes

   bifid

   pinnatifid

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Etymology

Origin of fid¹

First recorded in 1605–15; origin uncertain

Origin of -fid²

< Latin -fidus divided, equivalent to -fid- (variant stem of findere to split) + -us adj. suffix

Example Sentences

Fid soon remarked that when either of the Frenchmen was at the helm, one of the others was constantly going to a chest in the forepeak and looking steadily into it.

From True Blue by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Without moving from where he stood or saying a word, he took off his handkerchief and began to bind it up, Harry Hartland and Tim Fid hurrying up with expressions of sorrow to help him.

From True Blue by Kingston, William Henry Giles

“Gipples, my boy, they say that there are three big Frenchmen coming down upon us, and that we are to fight them all!” cried Fid, giving his messmate a dig in the ribs.

From True Blue by Kingston, William Henry Giles

True Blue, with Tom, Harry, Fid, the Dane, and the Dutchman, had the other.

From True Blue by Kingston, William Henry Giles

“May I have Fid, sir, also?” put in Nott, who was always free-spoken and wonderfully at ease with his Captain.

From True Blue by Kingston, William Henry Giles