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shroud

shroud

2 8.2
A rope that holds up a parachute or a ship's mast
  • noun
  • /ʃraʊd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : obenque
  • As the parachute deployed, the shroud lines stretched out to stabilize the descent.

Examples

  • All we needed here was a couple of shrouds.

  • Secure the shrouds!

  • I'll put the shroud back on.

  • There is still a plastic shroud above the fin stack.

  • The entire crew is clinging to the rail and standing on the shrouds.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Man the shrouds!

  • Into the shrouds!

  • Shrouds secured!

  • Then a flicker, and the forward shrouds sprang out, orange-red lines against the sky.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • New York City's spires jutted from misty shrouds as wind sliced into the matching cap and coat.

    Academic text (2001)

Synonyms

stay
vsshroud
  • Specialized
19 8.3

A stiff strip in clothing or a rope that gives support

is the general rope or chain that supports items in many contexts
cap shroud
vsshroud
  • Specialized
9.9

A rope or wire near the top of a sailboat mast that holds it steady

is a general rope or chain that supports objects like parachutes or masts
intermediate shroud
vsshroud
  • Jargon
9.9

A rope or wire attached partway up a mast between other ropes to help keep the mast steady

is the general rope or chain used to support parts of a mast
futtock shroud
vsshroud
  • Specialized
9.9

A rope or chain that supports the topmast by running from the platform edge to shrouds below

is the general supporting line for holding equipment or rigging in place

Antonyms

1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

16 3.9

To take something off from what it is connected to

Compounds

cap shroud
  • Specialized
9.9

A rope or wire near the top of a sailboat mast that holds it steady

futtock shroud
  • Specialized
9.9

A rope or chain that supports the topmast by running from the platform edge to shrouds below

9.9

A rope or wire attached partway up a mast between other ropes to help keep the mast steady

9.9

News reporting that focuses on sadness and shock to get attention

shroud-waving
  • Literature
9.9

An act of showing too much grief to gain public sympathy

Surface Forms

shroud singular
shrouds plural

Etymology

Shroud as the rope that supports a mast comes from the same old English scrūd meaning 'garment'. A helpful way to remember this is to imagine the ropes as 'clothing' that wrap and hold the mast in place.