The Collaborative International Dictionary
Top-chain
Top-chain \Top"-chain`\, n. (Naut.) A chain for slinging the lower yards, in time of action, to prevent their falling, if the ropes by which they are hung are shot away.
Wiktionary
top-chain
n. (context nautical English) A chain for slinging the lower yards, in time of action, to prevent their falling, if the ropes by which they are hung are shot away.
Usage examples of "top-chain".
Mr Watt, the top-chains and puddening - but I need not tell you what to do, I see.