† aˈstays, advb. phr. Naut. Obs.
[a prep.1 + stays.]
= abackstays, aback n.; also called by the backstays, by the stays, by the lee.
| 1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 123 Another more forcible tooke us astayes; which put us in danger. 1671 Lond. Gaz. No. 544/3 Discovering the length of his ship, which the little wind had brought a stayes. |