windlass
[ wind-luh s ]
/ ˈwɪnd ləs /
noun
a device for raising or hauling objects, usually consisting of a horizontal cylinder or barrel turned by a crank, lever, motor, or the like, upon which a cable, rope, or chain winds, the outer end of the cable being attached directly or indirectly to the weight to be raised or the thing to be hauled or pulled; winch.
verb (used with object)
to raise, haul, or move (a load) by means of a windlass.
Origin of windlass
Words nearby windlass
winding number,
winding sheet,
winding staircase,
winding-up,
windjammer,
windlass,
windle,
windless,
windlestraw,
windmill,
windmill grass
Example sentences from the Web for windlass
British Dictionary definitions for windlass
windlass
/ (ˈwɪndləs) /
noun
a machine for raising weights by winding a rope or chain upon a barrel or drum driven by a crank, motor, etc
verb
(tr)
to raise or haul (a weight, etc) by means of a windlass
Word Origin for windlass
C14: from Old Norse
vindáss, from
vinda to
wind ² +
ass pole; related to Old French
guindas, Middle Low German, Dutch
windas