backstay

2 definitions found

backstay - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Backstay \Back"stay`\ (b[a^]k"st[=a]`), n. [Back, a. or n. +
     stay.]
     1. (Naut.) A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the
        side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the
        shrouds in supporting the mast. [Often used in the
        plural.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
        [1913 Webster]

backstay - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  backstay
      n 1: a stay that supports the back of something