| Noun | 1. | block and tackle - pulley blocks with associated rope or cable bullock block - a pulley-block at the head of a topmast fairlead - a pulley-block used to guide a rope forming part of a ship's rigging to avoid chafing idle pulley, idle wheel, idler pulley - a pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide or tighten it simple machine, machine - a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point |