Windlass

/ˈwɪnd.ləs/ · noun

Meaning

Any of various forms of winch, in which a rope or cable is wound around a cylinder, used for lifting heavy weights.

Definitions by Sense

1. Any of various forms of winch, in which a rope or cable is wound around a cylinder, used for lifting heavy weights
2. A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course.
3. An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.
4. To raise with, or as if with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
5. To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.

Example Sentences

With windlasses and with assays of bias, / By indirections find directions out.

A favoring breeze enabled us to sail all the way down the lake, and (having been windlassed across the haul-over) even down the canals.

He could not expect to allure him forward, and therefore drives him as far back as he can; that so he may be the more sure of him at the rebound; as a skilful woodsman, that by windlassing presently gets a shoot, which, without taking a compass and thereby a commodious stand, he could never have obtained.

Synonyms for windlass

Antonyms for windlass

Related Words

Word Forms

• windlasses
• windless
• windlassing
• windlassed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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