derrick
[ der-ik ]
/ ˈdɛr ɪk /
noun
Machinery.
a jib crane having a boom hinged near the base of the mast so as to rotate about the mast, for moving a load toward or away from the mast by raising or lowering the boom.
Also called oil derrick.
the towerlike framework over an oil well or the like.
a boom for lifting cargo, pivoted at its inner end to a ship's mast or kingpost, and raised and supported at its outer end by topping lifts.
verb (used with or without object)
Machinery.
luff.
Origin of derrick
originally a hangman, the gallows, after the surname of a well-known Tyburn hangman, circa 1600
Words nearby derrick
derogate,
derogative,
derogatory,
deromanticize,
derp,
derrick,
derrida,
derring-do,
derringer,
derris,
derrière
Example sentences from the Web for derrick
British Dictionary definitions for derrick
derrick
/ (ˈdɛrɪk) /
noun
a simple crane having lifting tackle slung from a boom
the framework erected over an oil well to enable drill tubes to be raised and lowered
verb
to raise or lower the jib of (a crane)
Word Origin for derrick
C17 (in the sense: gallows): from
Derrick, name of a celebrated hangman at Tyburn