advb. phr. Naut. Obs. [A prep.1 + STAYS.] = ABACKSTAYS, ABACK; 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.
