windlass
1
9.6
- noun
- /ˈwɪndləs/
- Specialized
:
cabrestante
- Once a secure foundation was laid, a massive vertical windlass was secured on shore.
- windlass beam
- windlass tie beam
- windlass action
Examples
-
Windlass is ready and sails are loose, sir.
-
From the stone trap site, a large human-powered windlass was used to winch the net onto the beach.
Academic text (2007) -
Crank away on the windlass, sir!
-
The men of the windlass team hurried to one side.
Fiction book (2001) -
... the boy crosses to the well for a drink from a bucket drawn up on a wooden windlass carved by his father...
Fiction book (1992) -
He went forward along the rail and lay down beside the anchor windlass, peering into the chains.
Fiction book (1996) -
The windlass, which weighs 99 lbs., is designed for use with 3/8-inch or half-inch chain, as well as with a half-inch anchor line.
Academic text (2003) -
The crew used the windlass to lift the heavy anchor out of the water.
-
To secure the boat, they operated the windlass to pull the rope tight.
-
After a long day of fishing, they relied on the windlass to hoist the nets back onboard.
Synonyms
20
6.6
A machine that pulls heavy objects using a rope or cable
1
6.8
A device that turns springs, thread, rope or film
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Windlass comes from parts that mean 'to turn' and 'reel': the first part wind is like the verb 'to wind' (to turn), and the second part -lass comes from an old word for a 'reel' or roller. So a windlass is literally a thing you turn to wind up rope and lift heavy loads.