stay2

 
Pronunciation: /steɪ/

noun

  • a large rope, wire, or rod used to support a ship’s mast, leading from the masthead to another mast or spar or down to another part of the ship.
  • a guy or rope supporting a flagstaff or other upright pole.
  • a supporting wire or cable on an aircraft.

verb

[with object]
  • secure or steady (a mast) by means of stays: her masts were stayed with lengths of telephone wire

Phrases

be in stays

(of a sailing ship) be head to the wind while tacking.

miss stays

(of a sailing ship) fail in an attempt to go about from one tack to another.

Origin:

Old English stæg, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stag, from a base meaning 'be firm'