STAYS

Continuance or a period of time spent in a place; abode for an indefinite time; sojourn.

"I hope you enjoyed your stay in Hawaii."

A postponement, especially of an execution or other punishment.

"The governor granted a stay of execution."

A stop; a halt; a break or cessation of action, motion, or progress.

"stand at a stay"

To prop; support; sustain; hold up; steady.

To support from sinking; to sustain with strength; to satisfy in part or for the time.

To stop; detain; keep back; delay; hinder.

A prop; a support.

A piece of stiff material, such as plastic or whalebone, used to stiffen a piece of clothing.

"Where are the stays for my collar?"

(in the plural) A corset.

A strong rope or wire supporting a mast, and leading from one masthead down to some other, or other part of the vessel.

A guy, rope, or wire supporting or stabilizing a platform, such as a bridge, a pole, such as a tentpole, the mast of a derrick, or other structural element.

"The engineer insisted on using stays for the scaffolding."

The transverse piece in a chain-cable link.

To brace or support with a stay or stays

"stay a mast"

To incline forward, aft, or to one side by means of stays.

To tack; put on the other tack.

"to stay ship"

A corset.