windlass

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: wind=lass

CIDE DICTIONARY

windlass, n. [Perhaps from wind to turn + lace.].

 A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.  [1913 Webster]

windlass, v. i. 

 To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.  Hammond.  [1913 Webster]

windlass, n. [OE. windelas, windas, Icel. vindilāss, vindās, fr. vinda to wind + āss a pole; cf. Goth. ans a beam. See Wind to turn.].

•  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.  [1913 Webster]
•  An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

Chinese windlass. See Differential windlass, under Differential.

windlass, v. t. & i. 

 To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass.  The Century.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

windlass, n. & v.
--n. a machine with a horizontal axle for hauling or hoisting.
--v.tr. hoist or haul with a windlass.

Etymology

alt. (perh. by assoc. with dial. windle to wind) of obs. windas f. OF guindas f. ON vind{aacute}ss f. vinda WIND(2) + {aacute}ss pole

THESAURUS

windlass

Chinese windlass, Spanish windlass, capstan, crab, crane, derrick, erector, forklift, gantry crane, hoist, hydraulic tailgate, jack, jackscrew, lever, lift, lifter, reel, tackle, winch

ROGET THESAURUS

windlass

Elevation

N elevation, raising, erection, lift, sublevation, upheaval, sublimation, exaltation, prominence, lever, crane, derrick, windlass, capstan, winch, dredge, dredger, dredging machine, dumbwaiter, elevator, escalator, lift, elevated, stilted, attollent, rampant, on stilts, on the shoulders of, on one's legs, on one's hind legs.