Stays (nautical)

Stays is a nautical term with various meanings: It can refer to the ropes, wires, or rods on sailing vessels that run fore-and-aft along the centerline from the masts to the hull, deck, bowsprit, or to other masts which serve to stabilize the masts. It can also refer to the action of tacking, or going about; a ship is said to be "in stays" at this time.