forestay

American  

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

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.

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forestay British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of forestay

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

Example Sentences

On the morning of the seventh day out, she had covered 800 miles and was making splendid headway, with her mainsail, foresail, forestay sail and jib set and full.

From Time Magazine Archive

As we approached Molokai at night in 25-knot winds the chute became progressively harder to manage and ultimately wrapped itself on the forestay.

From Time Magazine Archive

Needless to say, we had hoisted no lantern on the forestay since the night the other boats had driven away from us or gone down.

From Foe-Farrell by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

Then the lantern in the forestay bobbed down and up, and he came back to where Trask stood.

From Isle o' Dreams by Coleman, Ralph P. (Ralph Pallen)

A lantern was hoisted on the forestay, and all hands were soon asleep.

From Little By Little or, The Cruise of the Flyaway by Optic, Oliver