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Topmast support
Answer for the clue "Topmast support ", 3 letters:
fid
Alternative clues for the word fid
Word definitions for fid in dictionaries
Wikipedia
Word definitions in Wikipedia
A fid is a conical tool traditionally made of wood or bone. It is used to work with rope and canvas in marlinespike seamanship . A fid differs from a marlinspike in material and purpose. A marlinespike is used in working with wire rope, may be used to open ...
Wiktionary
Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context nautical English) A pointed tool without any sharp edges, used in weaving or knotwork to tighten and form up weaves or complex knots; used in sailing ships to open the strands of a rope before splicing. Compare marlinespike. 2 (context nautical ...
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fid \Fid\, n. [Prov. E. fid a small, thick lump.] (Naut.) A square bar of wood or iron, used to support the topmast, being passed through a hole or mortise at its heel, and resting on the trestle trees. A wooden or metal bar or pin, used to support or steady ...
Usage examples of fid.
This he did from the top-maul to the fid, fid-plate, bolster and chock.
They found Rossi making up a set of footropes for the maintopsail yard, and he hurriedly dropped his fid and gave Sarah a courtly bow.
There was a suspicion that this Fid had poisoned Yang, for his talent related to alchemy, and he could make potions do sinister things.
Stafford were squatting on the gangway, splicing rigging, and they put down their fids and stood up when Sarah came along.
It was his first voyage on such a vessel, although he had fished upon deep water since childhood, and knew a marlinspike from a hickory fid before he was six.
He hastily dressed, strapped on his jingling belt of knives, fids, awls and other implements, ran downstairs, woke a vetturino at the hotel's cab rank and had himself galloped out to the park.
We sway it up from below and fix it to the lower mast, rather like a marine clapping a bayonet on to his musket: it comes up through the trestletrees, and when it is high enough, so that the hole in the bottom of it is clear, we ram a fid through, banging it home with the top-maul, which is this hammer you were asking about, and we sing out "Launch ho!