main yard

a yard for a square mainsail.

Origin of main yard

First recorded in 1475–85

When half a mile from the islets, the main-yard was braced aback, and the maintopsail was laid to the mast.

Jack Tier or The Florida Reef |James Fenimore Cooper
Our only squaresail was a spritsail at the main-yard to serve as a mainsail.

Hurricane Hurry |W.H.G. Kingston
Several struck her, and at last her main-yard was knocked away.

Paddy Finn |W. H. G. Kingston
He had got a long line and a strong hook, which he threw overboard from the end of the main-yard.

The South Sea Whaler |W.H.G. Kingston

The storm kept increasing in violence, until finally the strain from the top-sails bent the main-yard up and it snapped in two.

The Story of a Strange Career |Anonymous

main yard

nautical a yard for a square mainsail