foreyard

[ fawr-yahrd, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔrˌyɑrd, ˈfoʊr- /

a yard on the lower mast of a square-rigged foremast of a ship used to support the foresail.

a yard on the lowest spar of the foremast of a topsail schooner used to hold out the clews of the topsail or lower topsails.

a yard forming the main lower mast of a ketch or yawl used to support a square course.

Origin of foreyard

First recorded in 1620–30; fore- + yard²

I can see her bowsprit-cap hen she lifts; and half an hour ago I only saw her foreyard.

Frank Mildmay |Captain Frederick Marryat
The foreyard, which did very well for mooring the anchors, was quite inadequate to the transport of passengers and provisions.

In Search of the Castaways |Jules Verne
These vessels bore at their bowsprit, and at their cross-jack, as well as at the main and foreyard, groups of corpses.

The Buccaneer Chief |Gustave Aimard
By this time the 'sun is over the foreyard' and all are settling down for a fine race.

Yachting Vol. 2 |Various.

Sir Edward, who was leaning on the foreyard, watched her with admiration, but extreme anxiety.

The Life of Admiral Viscount Exmouth |Edward Osler

foreyard

/ (ˈfɔːˌjɑːd) /

nautical a yard for supporting the foresail of a square-rigger