triatic stay

[ trahy-at-ik ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a backstay for the head of a fore-and-aft-rigged topmast, running down to the head of the lower mast next aft.

Word History and Origins

Origin of triatic stay¹

1835–45; perhaps tri- + -ate ¹ + -ic

Example Sentences

It is called the "triatic stay," and Loughran was climbing to it.

From Project Gutenberg

Then out against the glooming sky was limned the swaying form, working its way along the triatic stay hand over hand, in an effort to reach the mainmast.

From Project Gutenberg