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windlass

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
wind·lass  (wndls)
n.
Any of numerous hauling or lifting machines consisting essentially of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank or a motor so that a line attached to the load is wound around the cylinder.
tr.v. wind·lassed, wind·lass·ing, wind·lass·es
To raise with a windlass.
[Middle English wyndlas, alteration of windas, from Old Norse vindss : vinda, to wind + ss, pole.]
windlass
Noun
a machine for lifting heavy objects by winding a rope or chain round a barrel or drum driven by a motor [Old Norse vindāss]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.windlass - lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds
winch
capstan - a windlass rotated in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis; used on ships for weighing anchor or raising heavy sails
lifting device - a device for lifting heavy loads
ship - a vessel that carries passengers or freight
yard donkey, yarder - a winch (or system of winches) powered by an engine and used to haul logs from a stump to a landing or to a skid road


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Maud held the turn on the windlass and coiled down the slack.
The Sea Wolf by London, Jack View in context
It was five o'clock in the afternoon of the bright autumnal Sunday, before a candle was sent down to try the air, while three or four rough faces stood crowded close together, attentively watching it: the man at the windlass lowering as they were told.
Hard Times by Dickens, Charles View in context
The Russians had a neat log house built on a grassy slope, with a windlass well beside the door.
My Antonia by Cather, Willa View in context
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