foreyard

foreyard [fawr-yahrd, fohr-] ExamplesWord Origin 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.

Origin of foreyard First recorded in 1620–30; fore- + yard2 Examples from the Web for foreyard Historical Examples of foreyard

Very placidly, and as if lost in thought, he insisted on having the foreyard squared. ‘

Youth

Joseph Conrad

“They are getting ready to fire again,” was now reported from the foreyard.

Rattlin the Reefer

Edward Howard

By this time the ‘sun is over the foreyard’ and all are settling down for a fine race.

Yachting Vol. 2

Various.

A round puff of white vapour, spreading itself lazily, clung in fading shreds about the foreyard.

The Rescue

Joseph Conrad

She sailed slowly round the south point of Pingelap and backed her foreyard, and presently a boat was lowered and pulled ashore.

The Ebbing Of The Tide

Louis Becke

British Dictionary definitions for foreyard foreyard noun

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