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 foremast, which is called the **FORE-STEY**, 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 mainmast which lies immediately above the quarter-deck: the fore-topmast-stay comes also to the end of the bowsprit, a little beyond the fore-stay: the main-topmast stay is attached to the head or hounds of the foremast; and the mizen-topmast stay comes also to the hounds of the mainmast: 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 foretopmast.