backstay
1
[ bak-stey ]
/ ˈbækˌsteɪ /
noun
Machinery.
a supporting or checking piece in a mechanism.
Building Trades.
an anchored tension member, as a cable, permanently or temporarily supporting a compression member, as a tower or pole, subject to a pull above its base from the opposite direction.
a strip of leather at the back of a shoe used for reinforcement and sometimes to connect the quarters.
Words nearby backstay
backsplash,
backsplice,
backstab,
backstage,
backstairs,
backstay,
backstitch,
backstop,
backstory,
backstrap loom,
backstreet
Definition for backstay (2 of 2)
backstay
2
[ bak-stey ]
/ ˈbækˌsteɪ /
noun
Nautical.
any of various shrouds forming part of a vessel's standing rigging and leading aft from masts above a lower mast to the sides or stern of the vessel in order to reinforce the masts against forward pull.
Example sentences from the Web for backstay
British Dictionary definitions for backstay
backstay
/ (ˈbækˌsteɪ) /
noun
nautical
a stay leading aft from the upper part of a mast to the deck or stern
machinery
a supporting piece or arresting part
anything that supports or strengthens the back of something, such as leather covering the back seam of a shoe