windlass

windlass
I. noun Etymology: Middle English wyneles, wyndlas, alteration of wyndase, from Old French guindas, windas, from Old Norse vindāss, from vinda to wind (akin to Old High German wintan to wind) + āss pole; akin to Gothic ans beam Date: 13th century any of various machines for hoisting or hauling: as a. a horizontal barrel supported on vertical posts and turned by a crank so that the hoisting rope is wound around the barrel b. a steam or electric winch with horizontal or vertical shaft and two drums used to raise a ship's anchor II. transitive verb Date: 1834 to hoist or haul with a windlass

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Windlass — Wind lass, n. [OE. windelas, windas, Icel. vindil[=a]ss, vind[=a]s, fr. vinda to wind + [=a]ss a pole; cf. Goth. ans a beam. See {Wind} to turn.] [1913 Webster] 1. A machine for raising weights, consisting of a horizontal cylinder or roller… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Windlass — Wind lass, v. t. & i. To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass. The Century. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • windlass — [wind′ləs] n. [ME wyndlas, altered (infl. by wyndel, a winding device < winden, WIND1) < windas, windlass < ON vindass < vinda, to WIND1 + ass, a beam] a winch, esp. a simple one for lifting an anchor, a bucket in a well, etc. vt., vi …   English World dictionary

  • windlass — ► NOUN ▪ a winch, especially one on a ship or in a harbour. ► VERB ▪ haul or lift with a windlass. ORIGIN probably from an Old Norse word meaning winding pole …   English terms dictionary

  • Windlass — Wind lass, n.[Perhaps from wind to turn + lace.] A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Windlass — Wind lass, v. i. To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means. [Obs.] Hammond. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • windlass — device for raising weights by winding a rope round a cylinder, c.1400, alteration of wyndase (late 13c.), from Anglo Fr. windas, and directly from a Scandinavian source such as O.N. vindass, from vinda to wind (see WIND (Cf. wind) (v.1)) + ass… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Windlass — For the tool used to raise paddle gear on canal locks, see Windlass ( lock key ) Turnbridge Windlass Lift road bridge over Huddersfield Broad Canal …   Wikipedia

  • windlass — Synonyms and related words: Chinese windlass, Spanish windlass, capstan, crab, crane, derrick, erector, forklift, gantry crane, hoist, hydraulic tailgate, jack, jackscrew, lever, lift, lifter, reel, tackle, winch …   Moby Thesaurus

  • windlass — UK [ˈwɪndləs] / US noun [countable] Word forms windlass : singular windlass plural windlasses a piece of equipment used for lifting heavy things. It uses a motor to wind a rope or chain around a large round cylinder …   English dictionary

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