a large strong rope employed to support the mast on the fore part, by extending from its upper end towards the fore part of the ship, as the shrouds are extended to the right and left, and behind it. See MAST, RIGGING, and SHROUD.

The stay of the fore-mast, which is called the fore-stay, reaches from the mast-head towards the bowsprit end: the main stay extends over the forecastle to the ship's stem; and the mizen-stay is stretched down to that part of the main-mast which lies immediately above the quarter-deck: the fore-top-mast-stay comes also to the end of the bowsprit, a little beyond the fore-stay: the main-top-mast stay is attached to the head or hounds of the fore-mast; and the mizen-top-mast stay comes also to the hounds of the main-mast: the fore-top-gallant stay comes to the outer end of the jib-boom; and the main-top-gallant stay is extended to the head of the fore-top-mast.

STAR-Sail, a sort of triangular sail extended upon a stay. See SAIL.