fairleadingadj.
/ˈfɛːliːdɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈfɛrˌlidɪŋ/ Now rare.
Of a block, sheave (sheave n.1 2), etc.: that is or acts as a fairlead.
ΚΠ
1834 C. Martelli Naval Officer's Guide for preparing Ships for Sea 222 One end of the whip is spliced into a bolt on deck, the other through a fair leading sheave or block.
1860 G. S. Nares Naval Cadet's Guide 36 A fair leading block stropped to it.
1994 H. C. Mustin Surv. Fiberglass Sailboats 69 (caption) The cables below are led from fairleading sheaves, around the face of the quadrant, and aft to the eyebolt deadends, where adjustment for slack can be made.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1834