noun
shroud
A rope supporting a mast or parachute canopy.
The sailor checks each shroud before raising the mainsail.
Etymology
The older word concerns a covering or protective arrangement. Nautical shrouds are supporting ropes around a mast, and parachuting extended the name to canopy suspension lines.
More examples
- Strong winds put extra strain on the boat's shrouds.
- She checks the parachute's shrouds for tangles before packing it.
- A loose shroud allows the mast to sway.
Forms
shroud · shrouds