n (nautical) A strong rope supporting a mast, and leading from the head of one mast down to some other, or other part of the vessel.
n A guy, rope, or wire supporting or stabilizing a platform, such as a bridge, a pole, such as a tentpole, the mast of a derrick, or other structural element.
n (context|chain-cable) The transverse piece in a link.
v (transitive|nautical) To incline forward, aft, or to one side by means of stays.
v (transitive|nautical) To tack; put on the other tack.
v (intransitive|nautical) To change; tack; go about; be in stays, as a ship.