forestay

== English == === Etymology 1 === From Middle English forstay, forstey, vorstey, equivalent to fore- +‎ stay (“a stay, rope”). ==== Alternative forms ==== forstay ==== Noun ==== forestay (plural forestays) (nautical) A stay that extends from the top of the foremast to the bow or bowsprit of a sailing ship Synonym: headstay ===== Coordinate terms ===== backstay ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== forestay (third-person singular simple present forestays, present participle forestaying, simple past and past participle forestayed) (transitive) To stay beforehand; secure or fasten with or as with a forestay. === Etymology 2 === From fore- +‎ stay (“to hold off, postpone, delay”). ==== Alternative forms ==== forstay (Scotland) ==== Verb ==== forestay (third-person singular simple present forestays, present participle forestaying, simple past and past participle forestayed) (transitive) To stay, delay, postpone, or hinder beforehand; forestall; prevent. 1954, Osteopathic Magazine - Volumes 41-42 - Page 75: It is reasonable to suppose that further research into the complex bio-chemistry of the blood will result in more satisfactory substitutes for plasma than are now available and thereby death may be more easily forestayed.