jackstay

American  

[jak-stey] / ˈdʒækˌsteɪ /

noun

Nautical.

1. a rod or batten, following a yard, gaff, or boom, to which one edge of a sail is bent.

2. a rail for guiding the movement of the hanks of a sail.

3. a transverse stay for stiffening a mast having a gaff sail, coming downward and outward from the head of the mast, passing over a spreader at the level of the gaff, then inclining inward to the mast again near the foot.

4. jack rod.

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jackstay British  

/ ˈdʒækˌsteɪ /

noun

1. a metal rod, wire rope, or wooden batten to which an edge of a sail is fastened along a yard

2. a support for the parrel of a yard

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Etymology

Origin of jackstay

First recorded in 1830–40; jack ¹ + stay ³

Example Sentences

Pulling myself along the jackstay until I reached the bunt, I managed to grasp a line that was tailing taut downward toward the deck.

From Mr. Trunnell, Mate of the Ship "Pirate" by Hains, T. Jenkins (Thornton Jenkins)

I screwed round a bit, holding the jackstay with one hand, and steadying the insensible Ordinary with the other.

From The Ghost Pirates by Hodgson, William Hope

At his touch, as though by magic, the young fellow calmed down, and Stubbins—reaching round him—grasped the jackstay on the other side.

From The Ghost Pirates by Hodgson, William Hope

A second later my feet were again on the foot rope, and my hands fastened for dear life to the jackstay.

From The Blood Ship by Springer, Norman

I had traced out bit by bit, until now I could clearly see the jackstay, running along the top of the royal mast; and, you know, the royal itself was set.

From The Ghost Pirates by Hodgson, William Hope