Found 1 items, similar to shifting backstays.
English → English (gcide) Definition: Shifting backstays Shifting \Shift"ing\, a. 1. Changing in place, position, or direction; varying; variable; fickle; as, shifting winds; shifting opinions or principles. [1913 Webster] 2. Adapted or used for shifting anything. [1913 Webster] Shifting backstays (Naut.), temporary stays that have to be let go whenever the vessel tacks or jibes. Shifting ballast, ballast which may be moved from one side of a vessel to another as safety requires. Shifting center. See Metacenter. Shifting locomotive. See Switching engine, under Switch. [1913 Webster]