backstay
IPA: bˈækstˈeɪ
noun
- (nautical) A part of the rigging of a sailing ship extending from masthead the top of the mast to the back of the ship; they support the strain on all upper masts and provide additional support to the shrouds when the wind is abaft the beam.
- A strengthening or supporting piece that is built into the back of something.
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Examples of "backstay" in Sentences
- Contrast with forestay and backstay.
- Others have taken to flying the ensign from a backstay.
- Other stress at the point of tack, the Cunningham, the backstay.
- Gaff rigged boats invariably have running backstays with no permanent backstay.
- During beating or reaching, the running backstay in windward side is in tension.