1 windlass | Definition of windlass

windlass

noun
wind·​lass | \ ˈwin(d)-ləs How to pronounce windlass (audio) \

Definition of windlass

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: any of various machines for hoisting or hauling: such as
a : a horizontal barrel supported on vertical posts and turned by a crank so that the hoisting rope is wound around the barrel
b : a steam or electric winch with horizontal or vertical shaft and two drums used to raise a ship's anchor

windlass

verb
windlassed; windlassing; windlasses

Definition of windlass (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to hoist or haul with a windlass

Examples of windlass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Other artifacts that will help archaeologists further identify and date the shipwreck include ceramic dinnerware, glass bottles, stoneware jugs, an anchor, wire rope rigging, a windlass, and a ship's bell, reported NOAA. Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, "NOAA researchers discover two unexplored shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico," 30 July 2019 Most tourniquets are called windlass-style tourniquets. Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "A Former Green Beret Rethinks the Standard-Issue Tourniquet," 16 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'windlass.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of windlass

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for windlass

Noun

Middle English wyneles, wyndlas, alteration of wyndase, from Old French guindas, windas, from Old Norse vindāss, from vinda to wind (akin to Old High German wintan to wind) + āss pole; akin to Goth ans beam

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More from Merriam-Webster on windlass

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with windlass

Spanish Central: Translation of windlass

Nglish: Translation of windlass for Spanish Speakers

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