forestay

[ fawr-stey, fohr- ]
/ ˈfɔrˌsteɪ, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

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

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well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
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Origin of forestay

First recorded in 1325–75, forestay is from the Middle English word forstay. See fore-, stay3

Words nearby forestay

forest tent caterpillar, forestaff, forestage, forestall, forestation, forestay, forestaysail, forester, forestick, forestland, forestry
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for forestay

British Dictionary definitions for forestay

forestay
/ (ˈfɔːˌsteɪ) /

noun

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
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