Stay

1. A strong rope supporting a mast and leading from the head of one mast down to some other mast or other part of the vessel; any rigging running fore (forestay) and aft (backstay) from a mast to the hull. The stays support a mast's weight forward and aft, while the shrouds support its weight from side to side.
2. To incline forward, aft, or to one side by means of stays, e.g. to "stay a mast".
3. To tack; put on the other tack, e.g. to "stay ship".
4. To change; tack; go about; be in stays, as a ship.
5. A station or fixed anchorage for vessels.
6. In stays or hove in stays: in the act of going about while tacking.
7. Miss stays: an unsuccessful attempt to tack.