Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for BACK'STAYS
BACK'STAYS, n. [back and stay.]
Long ropes or stays extending from the top-mast heads to both sides of a ship, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast, when strained by a weight of sail, and prevent it from giving way and falling overboard. – Mar. Dict.
Return to page 4 of the letter “B”.