Archimedes' screw

or Archimedean screw


noun

a device consisting essentially of a spiral passage within an inclined cylinder for raising water to a height when rotated.
Also called water snail.

Origin of Archimedes' screw

First recorded in 1860–65

British Dictionary definitions for archimedes' screw

Archimedes' screw

Archimedean screw

/ (ˌɑːkɪˈmiːdɪən, -mɪˈdiːən) /

noun

an ancient type of water-lifting device making use of a spiral passage in an inclined cylinder. The water is raised when the spiral is rotated