foreyard

[ fawr-yahrd, fohr- ]

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.

foreyard

/ ˈfɔːˌjɑːd /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreyard¹

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

Example Sentences

Hands were sent aloft to fish the foreyard, and to knot and splice the most important parts of the running rigging.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

In the morning we felt nervous and miserable; on the whole we weren't very gay till the sun was over the foreyard.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the sailors went on to the foreyard to ascertain more distinctly what was going on.

From Project Gutenberg

These vessels bore at their bowsprit, and at their cross-jack, as well as at the main and foreyard, groups of corpses.

From Project Gutenberg