chain plate

noun

, Nautical.

1. any of the metal plates secured to the hull of a sailing vessel or elsewhere to hold shrouds and backstays at their lower ends.

Word History and Origins

Origin of chain plate¹

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

The bowman got hold of a chain plate, and I scrambled into the main-chains and so got over the rail, bidding the men shove off and lie clear of the brig, whose rolling was somewhat heavy, owing to her floating like an egg-shell upon the long Pacific heave.

From Project Gutenberg