pulley, pulley-block, pulley block, block
(noun) a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
Source: WordNet® 3.1
pulley (plural pulleys)
(engineering, countable) One of the simple machines; a sheave, a wheel with a grooved rim, in which a pulled rope or chain lifts an object (more useful when two or more pulleys are used together, as in a block and tackle arrangement, such that a small force moving through a greater distance can exert a larger force through a smaller distance).
pulley (third-person singular simple present pulleys, present participle pulleying, simple past and past participle pulleyed)
(transitive) To raise or lift by means of a pulley.
• hoist
• simple machine, Simple machine
• polyspast
• block and tackle
• winch
• bearing
• chain
• rigging
• rope
• wheel
• crane
• inclined plane
• lever
• screw
• wedge
Pulley
A surname.
Source: Wiktionary
Pul"ley, n.; pl. Pulleys. Etym: [F. poulie, perhaps of Teutonic origin (cf. Poll, b. t.); but cf. OE. poleine, polive, pulley, LL. polanus, and F. poulain, properly, a colt, fr. L. pullus young animal, foal (cf. Pullet, Foal). For the change of sense, cf. F. poutre beam, originally, a filly, and E. easel.] (Mach.)
Definition: A wheel with a broad rim, or grooved rim, for transmitting power from, or imparting power to, the different parts of machinery, or for changing the direction of motion, by means of a belt, cord, rope, or chain.
Note: The pulley, as one of the mechanical powers, consists, in its simplest form, of a grooved wheel, called a sheave, turning within a movable frame or block, by means of a cord or rope attached at one end to a fixed point. The force, acting on the free end of the rope, is thus doubled, but can move the load through only half the space traversed by itself. The rope may also pass over a sheave in another block that is fixed. The end of the rope may be fastened to the movable block, instead of a fixed point, with an additional gain of power, and using either one or two sheaves in the fixed block. Other sheaves may be added, and the power multiplied accordingly. Such an apparatus is called by workmen a block and tackle, or a fall and tackle. See Block. A single fixed pulley gives no increase of power, but serves simply for changing the direction of motion. Band pulley, or Belt pulley, a pulley with a broad face for transmitting power between revolving shafts by means of a belt, or for guiding a belt.
– Cone pulley. See Cone pulley.
– Conical pulley, one of a pair of belt pulleys, each in the shape of a truncated cone, for varying velocities.
– Fast pulley, a pulley firmly attached upon a shaft.
– Loose pulley, a pulley loose on a shaft, to interrupt the transmission of motion in machinery. See Fast and loose pulleys, under Fast. Parting pulley, a belt pulley made in semicircular halves, which can be bolted together, to facilitate application to, or removal from, a shaft.
– Pulley block. Same as Block, n. 6.
– Pulley stile (Arch.), the upright of the window frame into which a pulley is fixed and along which the sash slides. Split pulley, a parting pulley.
Pul"ley, b. t.
Definition: To raise or lift by means of a pulley. [R.] Howell.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
22 May 2025
(noun) a strong post (as on a wharf or quay or ship for attaching mooring lines); “the road was closed to vehicular traffic with bollards”
The first coffee-house in Mecca dates back to the 1510s. The beverage was in Turkey by the 1530s. It appeared in Europe circa 1515-1519 and was introduced to England by 1650. By 1675 the country had more than 3,000 coffee houses, and coffee had replaced beer as a breakfast drink.
