mainstay (mansta)

1. The rope which secures the head of the mainmast of a ve el forward. Hence-2. Chief support; main dependence: as, their mainstay is fishing. The cocoanut, bread-fruit, taro, and banana form the mainstay and daily food of the people. The Century , XXXVIII. 16. main staysail (mān'stā-sāl or -sl), n. A storm sail set sometimes on the mainstay. main swear, v. i. See manswear. main-tack (mān'tak), n. The weather-clue of a square mainsail.