FID

Etymology

Noun

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.

Verb

fid (third-person singular simple present fids, present participle fiding, simple past and past participle fided)

To support a topmast using a fid.

Anagrams

• 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



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Word of the Day

29 May 2025

CRITICAL

(adjective) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; “a critical reading”; “a critical dissertation”; “a critical analysis of Melville’s writings”


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