Mainstay \Main"stay`\, n.
   1. (Naut.) The stay extending from the foot of the foremast
      to the maintop.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Main support; principal dependence.
      [1913 Webster]

            The great mainstay of the Church.     --Buckle.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	mainstay
    n 1: a prominent supporter; "he is a pillar of the community"
         [syn: pillar, mainstay]
    2: a central cohesive source of support and stability; "faith is
       his anchor"; "the keystone of campaign reform was the ban on
       soft money"; "he is the linchpin of this firm" [syn:
       anchor, mainstay, keystone, backbone, linchpin,
       lynchpin]
    3: the forestay that braces the mainmast

	

	124 Moby Thesaurus words for "mainstay":
   Maecenas, abettor, admirer, advocate, afford support, aficionado,
   alpenstock, angel, apologist, arm, athletic supporter, back,
   back up, backbone, backer, backing, bandeau, bear, bear up, bearer,
   bolster, bolster up, bra, brace, bracer, bracket, brassiere, buff,
   bulwark, buoy up, buttress, cane, carrier, carry, cervix, champion,
   corset, cradle, crook, crutch, cushion, defender, dependence,
   encourager, endorser, exponent, fan, favorer, foundation garment,
   friend at court, fulcrum, girdle, give support, guy, guywire, hold,
   hold up, jock, jockstrap, keep afloat, keep up, lend support,
   lover, main strength, maintain, maintainer, mast, neck, paranymph,
   partisan, patron, pillar, pillow, promoter, prop, protagonist,
   reinforce, reinforcement, reinforcer, reliance, rest,
   resting place, rigging, second, seconder, sectary, sheet anchor,
   shore, shore up, shoulder, shroud, sider, sinews, spine, sponsor,
   sprit, staff, stalwart, standby, standing rigging, stave, stay,
   stick, stiffener, strengthener, subsidize, subvention, support,
   supporter, sustain, sustainer, sympathizer, underbrace, undergird,
   underlie, underpin, underset, upbear, uphold, upholder, upkeep,
   votary, walking stick, well-wisher