fid (plural fids)
(nautical) A pointed tool without any sharp edges, used in weaving or knotwork to tighten and form up weaves or complex knots; used in sailing ships to open the strands of a rope before splicing. Compare marlinespike.
(nautical) A square bar of wood or iron, with a shoulder at one end, to support the weight of the topmast (on a ship).
A plug of oakum for the vent of a gun.
A small thick piece of anything.
A wooden or metal bar or pin, used to support or steady anything.
(nautical, slang) The penis.
fid (third-person singular simple present fids, present participle fiding, simple past and past participle fided)
To support a topmast using a fid.
• DFI, DIF, FDI, IDF, dif
Source: Wiktionary
Fid, n. Etym: [Prov. E. fid a small, thick lump.]
1. (Naut.)
Definition: 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.
2. A wooden or metal bar or pin, used to support or steady anything.
3. A pin of hard wood, tapering to a point, used to open the strands of a rope in splicing.
Note: 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.
4. (Mil.)
Definition: A block of wood used in mounting and dismounting heavy guns.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
3 March 2025
(verb) hold one’s ground; maintain a position; be steadfast or upright; “I am standing my ground and won’t give in!”
The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.
