capstan

capstan Definition

cap·stan (kap′stən)

noun

an apparatus, mainly on ships, around which cables or hawsers are wound for hoisting anchors, lifting weights, etc.: it consists of an upright, spool-shaped cylinder that is turned on an inner shafting by machinery or by hand
a rotating spindle in a tape recorder mechanism that regulates the speed at which the tape is driven past the head

Etymology: ME < OProv cabestan < ? L capistrum, halter, muzzle < capere, to take: see have

capstan Usage Examples

Converse of object

have: It has capstan and drum recorders to suit all page sizes and impositions.
use: She is manually launched on a wheeled trolly, and then recovered using a capstan to haul her back up the slipway.

Modifies a noun

lathe: The second floor was for the assembly of the millers and capstan lathes with the Loughborough training lathe.
winch: The Thompson Puma is a double capstan winch used for hauling and lifting.
head: Recently the capstan head has made a comeback, along with lever taps.
motor: The capstan motor drives the tape at constant speed.
wheel: Be careful not to trap the cotton wool stick between the rollers when cleaning the capstan wheel.
drive: The trouble seemed to be a flexible coupling in the capstan drive.

Noun used with modifier

Browse dictionary entries near capstan