Word Study
halyard
CIDE DICTIONARY
halyard, n. [Hale, v. t. + yard.].
A rope or tackle for hoisting or lowering yards, sails, flags, etc. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
halyard, n. (also halliard, haulyard) Naut. a rope or tackle for raising or lowering a sail or yard etc.
Etymology
ME halier f. HALE(2) + -IER, assoc. with YARD(1)
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