Windlass Definition

wĭndləs
windlasses
noun
windlasses
A winch, esp. a simple one for lifting an anchor, a bucket in a well, etc.
Webster's New World
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.
American Heritage

A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course.

Wiktionary

An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
verb
windlasses
To hoist, lower, or haul with a windlass.
Webster's New World
To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.
Wiktionary

Origin of Windlass

  • Middle English windels or windas, Old Norse vindass, from vinda (“to wind") + ass (“pole"). Confer Icelandic vindilass.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English wyndlas alteration of windas from Old Norse vindāss vinda to wind āss pole

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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