foreyard

[ fawr-yahrd, fohr- ]

noun

1. a yard on the lower mast of a square-rigged foremast of a ship used to support the foresail.
2. a yard on the lowest spar of the foremast of a topsail schooner used to hold out the clews of the topsail or lower topsails.
3. a yard forming the main lower mast of a ketch or yawl used to support a square course.

foreyard

/ ˈfɔːˌjɑːd /

noun

1. nautical a yard for supporting the foresail of a square-rigger

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreyard¹

First recorded in 1620–30; fore- + yard ²

Example Sentences

Their next task was to repair the splintered foreyard, which they did by fishing it with capstan bars and small spars.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a rush for the shelter of the Gannet, and, realizing the danger, I crept along the foot-rope of the foreyard, gained the foreyard of the Gannet, and thence made for her foretop.

From Project Gutenberg

Retracing his course to the south the following summer, he circumnavigated Banks Land under marvellous ice conditions of great danger, escaping as by miracle, the Investigator being so near the sheer, precipitous crags of the west coast that her yards could touch the cliffs, while to the seaward she was cradled in crashing, uprearing floes which close to her bows were higher than the foreyard.

From Project Gutenberg

Both vessels were alive in a moment, and while the Battle-Axe was squaring away the Star's foreyard was braced sharp up on the starboard tack till she fell off before the little breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

That foreyard goes round now," said old Semple, "as if it was hung like a balance.

From Project Gutenberg