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windlass

(wind′ləs)

noun

a winch, esp. a simple one for lifting an anchor, a bucket in a well, etc.

Origin: ME wyndlas, altered (infl. by -wyndel, a winding device < winden, wind) < windas, windlass < ON vindass < vinda, to wind + ass, a beam

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to hoist, lower, or haul with a windlass

See windlass in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of numerous hauling or lifting machines consisting essentially of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank or a motor so that a line attached to the load is wound around the cylinder.

transitive verb wind·lassed, wind·lass·ing, wind·lass·es

To raise with a windlass.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English wyndlas

Origin: , alteration of windas

Origin: , from Old Norse vindāss

Origin: : vinda, to wind

Origin: + āss, pole

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