winch

4 definitions found

winch - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Winch \Winch\, v. i. [See Wince.]
     To wince; to shrink; to kick with impatience or uneasiness.
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  Winch \Winch\, n.
     A kick, as of a beast, from impatience or uneasiness.
     --Shelton.
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  Winch \Winch\, n. [OE. winche, AS. wince a winch, a reel to wind
     thread upon. Cf. Wink.]
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     1. A crank with a handle, for giving motion to a machine, a
        grindstone, etc.
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     2. An instrument with which to turn or strain something
        forcibly.
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     3. An axle or drum turned by a crank with a handle, or by
        power, for raising weights, as from the hold of a ship,
        from mines, etc.; a windlass.
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     4. A wince.
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winch - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  winch
      n 1: lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned
           by a crank on which a cable or rope winds [syn: winch,
           windlass]
      v 1: pull or lift up with or as if with a winch; "winch up the
           slack line"