A breast backstay is a nautical term that refers to a rope or cable that is used to support the mast of a sailing vessel. It is an essential part of the rigging system that helps to keep the mast in place and prevent it from leaning too far forward. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, and antonyms of breast backstay.
Definitions
A breast backstay is a rope or cable that runs from the top of the mast to the bow of the boat. It is used to support the mast and keep it from leaning too far forward. The breast backstay is typically tensioned by a turnbuckle, which allows the sailor to adjust the tension as needed.
Origin
The term breast backstay has its roots in the early days of sailing when ships were powered by wind. The breast backstay was an essential part of the rigging system that helped to support the mast and keep the ship sailing smoothly. Over time, the breast backstay became a standard part of the rigging system on all types of sailing vessels.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a breast backstay is “a stay leading from the head of a mast to the bow of a ship”. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a rope or wire that runs from the masthead to the bow of a sailing vessel, used to support the mast and prevent it from leaning too far forward”.
Associations
The breast backstay is associated with sailing and nautical terminology. It is an essential part of the rigging system on sailing vessels of all sizes, from small dinghies to large ocean-going yachts.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for breast backstay include forestay, headstay, and jibstay. These terms are all related to the rigging system on a sailing vessel and refer to different types of stays that help to support the mast.
Antonyms
There are no real antonyms for breast backstay, as it is a unique term that refers specifically to a type of rope or cable used in sailing.
The same root words
The root words of breast backstay are breast, which refers to the forward part of a ship’s hull, and backstay, which is a type of rope or cable used to support the mast. These terms are also used in other nautical contexts and are closely related to the breast backstay.
Example Sentences
- The sailor adjusted the tension on the breast backstay to keep the mast from leaning too far forward.
- The crew worked together to hoist the sails and secure the breast backstay.
- The captain inspected the breast backstay for signs of wear and tear before setting sail.
- The boat’s rigging included a forestay, backstay, and breast backstay to support the mast.
- The sailor climbed up the mast to attach the breast backstay to the bow of the boat.