windlass

Noun

windlass (plural windlasses)

1. (nautical) A type of winch, fitted with a gipsy for hauling chain cable, or a drum for rope.
2. (nautical) An apparatus in which horizontal or vertical drums or wheels are operated by means of a steam engine, pneumatic engine, hydraulic engine, or electric motor for handling heavy anchor chains, hawsers, etc. (FM 55-501).

8 letters in word "windlass": A D I L N S S W.

No anagrams for windlass found in this word list.

• Definitions:
• winch: lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds
• A windlass is an apparatus for moving a heavy weight. Typically, a windlass consists of a cylinder (barrel), which is rotated by the turn of a crank or belt. A winch is affixed to one or both ends, and a cable or rope is wound around the winch, pulling a weight attached to the opposite end.
• Winch for hauling in the anchor chain or line.
• A mechanical device used to pull in cable or chain, such as an anchor rode.
• A revolving machine with a horizontal spindle used to raise or lower an anchor.
• Rotating drum device used for hauling line or chain to raise and lower an anchor.
• "A cylinder on an axle, turned by a crank or brace [or, on the Lady, by direct manpower], useful for hoisting and hauling." (Uden & Cooper) A windlass revolves around a horizontal axis, as opposed to a capstan, which rotates around a vertical axis.
• A medieval device to pull the bowstring back on a crossbow.
• Removable crank handle fitted to the end of a shaft to provide manual leverage to rotate the shaft against a load for operating sluice and paddle gear.
• Forerunner of the hoist – hand operated device for raising buckets of opal dirt to the surface by means of a cable around a drum with handles.
• a mechanism for lifting by rope, usually with a cranking attachment
• A machine for working cables, and often used in weighing anchors, and generally mounted in the bows of the ship. The windlass is distinguished from a capstan by having the barrel, or cable spool in a horizontal position.
• a machine for hoisting or hauling
• a mechanical device used to raise and lower the drawbridge
• a winch used to haul opal dirt up out of the mine. These days, most miners use an automatic hoist or blower for this purpose.
• A winch for hauling dirt up out of the mine.
• A machine for raising a weight by winding a rope and/or chain around a drum or chainwheel, driven by a crank, motor, etc.

• windjammings ←
• windjamming ←
• windjammers ←
• windlass
• → windlassed
• → windlasses
• → windlassing