windlass

views updated May 18 2018

wind·lass / ˈwindləs/ • n. a type of winch used esp. on ships to hoist anchors and haul on mooring lines and, esp. formerly, to lower buckets into and hoist them up from wells.• v. [tr.] haul or lift (something) with a windlass.

windlass

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

windlass

views updated May 21 2018

windlass XIV. Presumably obscure alt. of †windas — AN. windas = OF. guindas — ON. vindáss, f. vinda WIND2 + áss pole.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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