forestay

Plural: forestays

Noun

• A rope or wire supporting a ship's foremast.
• an adjustable stay from the foremast to the deck or bowsprit; controls the bending of the mast
• A stay that extends from the top of the foremast to the bow or bowsprit of a sailing ship

Verb

• To stay beforehand; secure or fasten with or as with a forestay.
• To stay, delay, postpone, or hinder beforehand; forestall; prevent.

Examples

• The FORESTAY of my strategy was to always prioritize high-scoring letters like Z and Q.

Synonyms

headstay