fid

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

fid, n. [Prov. E. fid a small, thick lump.].

•  A square bar of wood or iron, used to support the topmast, being passed through a hole or mortise at its heel, and resting on the trestle trees.  [1913 Webster]
•  A wooden or metal bar or pin, used to support or steady anything.  [1913 Webster]
•  A pin of hard wood, tapering to a point, used to open the strands of a rope in splicing.  [1913 Webster]

  " There are hand fids and standing fids (which are larger than the others, and stand upon a flat base). An iron implement for this purpose is called a marline spike."  [1913 Webster]
•  A block of wood used in mounting and dismounting heavy guns.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

fid, n.
1 a small thick piece or wedge or heap of anything.
2 Naut. a a square wooden or iron bar to support the topmast. b a conical wooden pin used in splicing.

Etymology

17th c.: orig. unkn.

ROGET THESAURUS

fid

Pungency

N pungency, piquance, piquancy, poignancy haut-gout, strong taste, twang, race, sharpness, acrimony, roughness, unsavoriness, mustard, cayenne, caviare, seasoning, niter, saltpeter, brine (saltiness), carbonate of ammonia, sal ammoniac, sal volatile, smelling salts, hartshorn (acridity), dram, cordial, nip, nicotine, tobacco, snuff, quid, smoke, segar, cigar, cigarette, weed, fragrant weed, Indian weed, Cavendish, fid, negro head, old soldier, rappee, stogy, pungent, strong, high-, full-flavored, high-tasted, high-seasoned, gamy, sharp, stinging, rough, piquant, racy, biting, mordant, spicy, seasoned, hot, hot as pepper, peppery, vellicating, escharotic, meracious, acrid, acrimonious, bitter, rough, unsavory.