windlass

6 definitions found

windlass - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Windlass \Wind"lass\, n.[Perhaps from wind to turn + lace.]
     A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.
     [1913 Webster]

  Windlass \Wind"lass\, v. i.
     To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect
     means. [Obs.] --Hammond.
     [1913 Webster]

  Windlass \Wind"lass\, n. [OE. windelas, windas, Icel.
     vindil[=a]ss, vind[=a]s, fr. vinda to wind + [=a]ss a pole;
     cf. Goth. ans a beam. See Wind to turn.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. A machine for raising weights, consisting of a horizontal
        cylinder or roller moving on its axis, and turned by a
        crank, lever, or similar means, so as to wind up a rope or
        chain attached to the weight. In vessels the windlass is
        often used instead of the capstan for raising the anchor.
        It is usually set upon the forecastle, and is worked by
        hand or steam.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending
        the bow of an arblast, or crossbow. [Obs.] --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Chinese windlass. See Differential windlass, under
        Differential.
        [1913 Webster]

  Windlass \Wind"lass\, v. t. & i.
     To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
     --The Century.
     [1913 Webster]

windlass - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  windlass
      n 1: lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned
           by a crank on which a cable or rope winds [syn: winch,
           windlass]

windlass - Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 :

  19 Moby Thesaurus words for "windlass":
     Chinese windlass, Spanish windlass, capstan, crab, crane, derrick,
     erector, forklift, gantry crane, hoist, hydraulic tailgate, jack,
     jackscrew, lever, lift, lifter, reel, tackle, winch