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foreyard

[fawr-yahrd, fohr-]
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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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Origin of foreyard

First recorded in 1620–30; fore- + yard2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for foreyard

Historical Examples

  • Very placidly, and as if lost in thought, he insisted on having the foreyard squared. '

    Youth

    Joseph Conrad

  • “They are getting ready to fire again,” was now reported from the foreyard.

    Rattlin the Reefer

    Edward Howard

  • By this time the 'sun is over the foreyard' and all are settling down for a fine race.

  • A round puff of white vapour, spreading itself lazily, clung in fading shreds about the foreyard.

    The Rescue

    Joseph Conrad

  • She sailed slowly round the south point of Pingelap and backed her foreyard, and presently a boat was lowered and pulled ashore.

British Dictionary definitions for foreyard

foreyard

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