Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Windlass
Wind′lass
,Noun.
[Perhaps from
wind
to turn + lace
.] A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.
Wind′lass
,Verb.
I.
To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.
[Obs.]
Hammond.
Wind′lass
,Noun.
[OE.
windelas
, windas
, Icel. vindilāss
, vindās
, fr. vinda
to wind + āss
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
,Verb.
T.
& I.
To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
The Century.
Webster 1828 Edition
Windlass
WINDLAS
, WINDLASS,Noun.
1.
A machine for raising great weights, consisting of a cylinder or roller of timber, moving on its axis and turned by levers, with a rope or chain attached to the weight.2.
A handle by which any thing is turned. [Not in use.]Definition 2024
windlass
windlass
English
Noun
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.
- 1599, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Ham II. i. 65:
- With windlasses and with assays of bias, / By indirections find directions out.
- 1599, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Ham II. i. 65:
- An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
Translations
winch
Verb
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.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of The Century to this entry?)
- To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Hammond to this entry?)