foreyard

American  

[fawr-yahrd, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌyɑrd, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

1. a yard on the lower mast of a square-rigged foremast of a ship used to support the foresail.

2. a yard on the lowest spar of the foremast of a topsail schooner used to hold out the clews of the topsail or lower topsails.

3. a yard forming the main lower mast of a ketch or yawl used to support a square course.

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foreyard British  

/ ˈfɔːˌjɑːd /

noun

1. nautical a yard for supporting the foresail of a square-rigger

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Etymology

Origin of foreyard

First recorded in 1620–30; fore- + yard ²

Example Sentences

I can see her bowsprit-cap hen she lifts; and half an hour ago I only saw her foreyard.

From Frank Mildmay Or, the Naval Officer by Marryat, Frederick

The foreyard had been sprung, or True Blue would have brought the vessel to under her fore-topsail.

From True Blue by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Roger’s duty required him to remain on deck; Charlie Ross ran up with the two other midshipmen to the foreyard to superintend the operation of taking in a reef.

From Roger Willoughby A Story of the Times of Benbow by Webb, Archibald

We had already lost our foreyard, which had tumbled down across the fo'c'sle, bringing with it a litter of ropes, blocks, and torn canvas.

From The Quest of the 'Golden Hope' A Seventeenth Century Story of Adventure by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

The Captain and I went on the foreyard and watched her.

From A Modern Buccaneer by Boldrewood, Rolf