n. | 1. | (Naut.) The stay extending from the foot of the foremast to the maintop. |
2. | Main support; principal dependence. |
Noun | 1. | mainstay - a prominent supporter; "he is a pillar of the community" Synonyms: pillar |
2. | mainstay - a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm" | |
3. | mainstay - the forestay that braces the mainmast |