n. Nautical, a strong rope used to support a mast, and leading from the head of one mast down to some other, or to some part of the vessel.n. A rope used for a similar purpose; a guy supporting the mast of a, derrick, a telegraphpole, or the like.n. In a chain-cable, the transverse piece in a link.Naut: To incline forward, aft, or to one side by means of stays: as, to stay a mast.To tack; put on the other tack: as, to stay ship.Nautical, to change tack; go about; be in stays, as a ship.n. A prop; a support.n. Specifically— In building, a piece performing the office of a brace, to prevent the swerving or lateral deviation of the piece to which it is applied.n. In steam-engines: A rod, bar. bolt, or gusset in a boiler, to hold two parts together against the pressure of steam: as, a tube-stay; a water-space stay.n. One of the sling-rods connecting a locomotive-boiler to its frame.n. A rod, beneath the boiler, supporting the inside bearings of the crank-axle of a locomotive.n. In mining, a piece of wood used to secure the pump to an engine-shaft.n. In some hollow-castings, a spindle which forms a support for the core.n. In anatomy and zoology, technically, a prop or support: as, the bony stay of the operculum of a mail-cheeked fish, or cottoid. This is an enlarged suborbital bone which crosses the cheek and articulates with the præoperculum in the mail-cheeked fishes. See Cottoidea, Scleropariæ.n. plural A kind of waistcoat, stiffened with whalebone or other material, now worn chiefly by women and girls to support and give shape to the body, but formerly worn also by men.n. A fastening for a garment; hence, a hook; a clasp; anything to hang another thing on.n. That which holds or restrains; obstacle; check; hindrance; restraint.n. A stop; a halt; a break or cessation of action, motion, or progression: as, the court granted a stay.n. A standstill; a state of rest; entire cessation of motion or progress: used chiefly in the phrase at a stay.n. A fixed state; fixedness; stability; permanence.n. Continuance in a place; abode for an indefinite time; sojourn: as, you make a short stay in the city.n. A station or fixed anchorage for vessels.n. State; fixed condition.n. Restraint of passion; prudence; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety.n. Synonyms See staff.n. Pause, etc. See stop.To prop; support; sustain; hold up; steady.To stop.To restrain; withhold; check; stop.To put off; defer; postpone; delay; keep back: as, to stay judgment.To hold the attention of.To stand; undergo; abide; hold out during.To wait for; await.To rest; depend; rely.To stop.To come to an end; cease.To delay; linger; tarry; wait.To make a stand; stand.To hold out, as in a race or contest; last or persevere to the end.To remain; especially, to remain in a place for an indefinite time; abide; sojourn; dwell; reside.To wait; rest in patience or in expectation.To wait as an attendant; give ceremonious or submissive attendance: with on or upon.Synonyms To rest, lodge, delay.In poker, to come in when an ante has been raised.