windlass (redirected from windlasses)

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.

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[Middle English wyndlas, alteration of windas, from Old Norse vindss : vinda, to wind + ss, pole.]

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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]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

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