n. & v.
n. 1 Naut. a rope or guy supporting a mast, spar, flagstaff, etc. 2 a tie-piece in an aircraft etc.
v.tr. 1 support (a mast etc.) by stays. 2 put (a ship) on another tack. be in stays (of a sailing ship) be head to the wind while tacking. miss stays fail to be in stays.
[ OE stg be firm, f. Gmc ]