capstan
[ kap-stuh n, -stan ]
/ ˈkæp stən, -stæn /
noun
any of various windlasses, rotated in a horizontal plane by hand or machinery, for winding in ropes, cables, etc.
a rotating spindle or shaft, powered by an electric motor, that transports magnetic tape past the heads of a tape recorder at a constant speed.
Origin of capstan
1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French
cabestan(t) < Old Provençal
cabestan, variant of
cabestran, presumably present participle of
*cabest(r)ar, a verbal derivative of
cabestre halter < Latin
capistrum
Words nearby capstan
capsian,
capsicum,
capsid,
capsize,
capsomere,
capstan,
capstan bar,
capstan lathe,
capstan table,
capstone,
capsula
Example sentences from the Web for capstan
British Dictionary definitions for capstan
capstan
/ (ˈkæpstən) /
noun
a machine with a drum that rotates round a vertical spindle and is turned by a motor or lever, used for hauling in heavy ropes, etc
any similar device, such as the rotating shaft in a tape recorder that pulls the tape past the head
Word Origin for capstan
C14: from Old Provençal
cabestan, from Latin
capistrum a halter, from
capere to seize