What does "halyard" mean?

A rope used to raise or lower a sail, flag, spar or yard.

What is a synonym for "halyard"?

Common synonyms include: halliard, hoist line, lifting rope, rigging, rope.

/ˈhæljə(ɹ)d/ noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
A rope used to raise or lower a sail, flag, spar or yard.
"At last I got my knife and cut the halyards. The peak dropped instantly, a great belly of loose canvas floated broad upon the water […]"
2
a rope for raising or lowering a sail or flag wordnet
3
A rope used to extend a ladder.

"At last I got my knife and cut the halyards. The peak dropped instantly, a great belly of loose canvas floated broad upon the water […]"

Inherited from Middle English halier, from halen (“to haul”) + -iere (“-er”), with misconstrual of -ier as yard. Compare lanyard.