Category:Fid

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

1. (Naut.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A block of wood used in mounting and dismounting heavy guns.