winch, windlass
(noun) lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds
Source: WordNet® 3.1
windlass (plural windlasses)
Any of various forms of winch, in which a rope or cable is wound around a cylinder, used for lifting heavy weights
A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course.
An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.
windlass (third-person singular simple present windlasses, present participle windlassing, simple past and past participle windlassed)
To raise with, or as if with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.
Source: Wiktionary
Wind"lass, n.Etym: [Perhaps from wind to turn + lace.]
Definition: A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.
Wind"lass, v. i.
Definition: To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means. [Obs.] Hammond.
Wind"lass, n. Etym: [OE. windelas, windas, Icel. vindilass, vindas, fr. vinda to wind + ass a pole; cf. Goth. ans a beam. See Wind to turn.]
1. A machine for raising weights, consisting of a horizontal cylinder or roller moving on its axis, and turned by a crank, lever, or similar means, so as to wind up a rope or chain attached to the weight. In vessels the windlass is often used instead of the capstan for raising the anchor. It is usually set upon the forecastle, and is worked by hand or steam.
2. An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow. [Obs.] Shak. Chinese windlass. See Differential windlass, under Differential.
Wind"lass, v. t. & i.
Definition: To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass. The Century.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
6 October 2024
(adjective) of such great duration as to preclude the possibility of being assigned a date; “dateless customs”
Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.
