forestay

[fawr-stey, fohr-]

noun

1. a stay leading aft and upward from the stem or knightheads of a vessel to the head of the fore lower mast; the lowermost stay of a foremast.

2. a stay leading aft and upwards toward the mainmast of a sloop, knockabout, cutter, ketch, yawl, or dandy.

forestay

/ ˈfɔːˌsteɪ /

noun

1. nautical an adjustable stay leading from the truck of the foremast to the deck, stem, or bowsprit, for controlling the motion or bending of the mast

Word History and Origins

Origin of forestay¹

First recorded in 1325–75, forestay is from the Middle English word forstay. See fore-, stay ³

Example Sentences

He clawed the jib down, wadded it in a ball and—with it still hooked to the forestay—he opened the forward hatch and jammed all of the sail he could into the opening.

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Then the squall struck whining from the west, with gale force, breaking both forestays, and the mast came toppling aft along the ship’s length, so the running rigging showered into the bilge.

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A lamp hung on the forestay as a beacon for the boats and one could see the sweep of planks and line of the rail.

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The three who escaped and afterwards gave evidence, saved themselves by climbing up the forestay and hiding in the top.

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It gleamed above the surf fringe, a cluster of twinkling lights at the black hills' feet, and there were other lights, higher up, on ships' forestays, behind the dusky line of mole.

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