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
- steam: The machine on deck above the letter ' L ' , is a steam capstan.
Browse dictionary entries near capstan
- capsomere
- capsize
- capsid
- capsicum
- Capsian
- capsaicin
- caps
- caprylic acid
- caprolactam
- caproic acid
- capstan bar
- capstone
- capsular
- capsulate
- capsule
- capsulize
- Capt
- captain
- captain's chair
- captain's walk
