wind|lass

wind|lass «WIHND luhs», noun, verb.

–n.

a machine for pulling or lifting things. A windlass is a kind of winch with a horizontal roller or beam, resting on supports, around which a rope, cable, or chain is wound, as to hoist water from a well or to raise an anchor. »

Modern forms of the windlass include drums and cables of cranes and elevators (Allen S. Hall, Jr.).

–v.t., v.i.

to hoist or haul with a windlass.

╂[perhaps fusion of obsolete windas windlass < Anglo-French < Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic windāss < vinda wind, turn + āss pole), and obsolete windle winding apparatus < Middle English winden wind, turn]