English Explanatory Dictionary

forestay

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A stay that extends from the top of the foremast to the bow or bowsprit of a sailing ship
verb
  1. To stay beforehand; secure or fasten with or as with a forestay.
verb
  1. To stay, delay, postpone, or hinder beforehand; forestall; prevent.

Word forms

forestay forestays forstay forestaying forestayed

Etymology

From Middle English forstay, forstey, vorstey, equivalent to fore- + stay (“a stay, rope”).

Synonyms

headstay

Derived words

forestaysail
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