I. ˈfid noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : a wooden or metal bar or pin: as
a. : a square bar of wood or iron used to support the topmast or a topgallant mast and passed through a hole or mortise at its heel and resting on the trestletrees
b. : a pin usually of hard wood that tapers to a point and is used in opening the strands of a rope (as in splicing) or in stretching eyes — compare marlinespike
2.
a. obsolete : a plug of oakum to stop the vent of a cannon
b. dialect England : chunk , lump
a fid of tobacco
II. transitive verb
( fidded ; fidded ; fidding ; fids )
: to secure (as a topmast) and support in place with a fid
III. abbreviation
1. fidelity
2. fiduciary