WINDLASSING

Verb

windlassing

present participle of windlass

Source: Wiktionary


WINDLASS

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



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Word of the Day

16 March 2025

SUSPENDED

(adjective) (of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment; “suspended matter such as silt or mud...”; “dust particles suspended in the air”; “droplets in suspension in a gas”


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