Stay (stā), n. [AS. stæg, akin to D., G., Icel., Sw., & Dan. stag; cf. OF. estai, F. étai, of Teutonic origin.] (Naut.) A large, strong rope, employed to support a mast, by being extended from the head of one mast down to some other, or to some part of the vessel. Those which lead forward are called fore-and-aft stays; those which lead to the vessel's side are called backstays. See Illust. of Ship.
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In stays, or Hove in stays (Naut.), in the act or situation of staying, or going about from one tack to another. R. H. Dana, Jr. -- Stay holes (Naut.), openings in the edge of a staysail through which the hanks pass which join it to the stay. -- Stay tackle (Naut.), a tackle attached to a stay and used for hoisting or lowering heavy articles over the side. -- To miss stays (Naut.), to fail in the attempt to go about. Totten. -- Triatic stay (Naut.), a rope secured at the ends to the heads of the foremast and mainmast with thimbles spliced to its bight into which the stay tackles hook.
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Stay (stā), v. i. [√163. See Stay to hold up, prop.] 1. To remain; to continue in a place; to abide fixed for a space of time; to stop; to stand still.
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She would command the hasty sun to stay. Spenser.
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Stay, I command you; stay and hear me first. Dryden.
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I stay a little longer, as one stays
To cover up the embers that still burn. Longfellow.
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2. To continue in a state.
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The flames augment, and stay
At their full height, then languish to decay. Dryden.
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3. To wait; to attend; to forbear to act.
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I 'll tell thee all my whole device
When I am in my coach, which stays for us. Shak.
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The father can not stay any longer for the fortune. Locke.
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4. To dwell; to tarry; to linger.
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I must stay a little on one action. Dryden.
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5. To rest; to depend; to rely; to stand; to insist.
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I stay here on my bond. Shak.
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Ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon. Isa. xxx. 12.
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6. To come to an end; to cease; as, that day the storm stayed. [Archaic]
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Here my commission stays. Shak.
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7. To hold out in a race or other contest; as, a horse stays well. [Colloq.]
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8. (Naut.) To change tack, as a ship.
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