winch

Meaning

Noun

1. A machine consisting of a drum on an axle, a friction brake or ratchet and pawl, and a crank handle or prime mover (often an electric or hydraulic motor), with or without gearing, to give increased mechanical advantage when hoisting or hauling on a rope or cable.
2. A hoisting device used for loading or unloading cargo, or for pulling in lines.
3. A wince (machine used in dyeing or steeping cloth).
4. A kick, as of an animal, from impatience or uneasiness.
5. (Nigeria, slang) A witch.

Verb

To use a winch

Verb

1. To wince; to shrink
2. To kick with impatience or uneasiness.

Verb

1. (Scotland, ambitransitive, colloquial) to court
2. (Scotland, ambitransitive, colloquial) to kiss, snog

Synonyms

bow

🙇

drill

propeller

rudder

saw

🪚

shackle

televisor

thruster

maneuvering device

thrust propeller

thruster machinery compartment

windlass

hoist

tackle

crank

pitman

derrick

capstan hoist

reel cart

tommy

wind

winder

burton

capstan

jigger

lever

pulley

block and tackle

raise

reel

wheel and axle

wind lass

winding barrel

Translations

Winde

argano

winch

treuil

βαρούλκο

torno

βίντσι

catraca

windas

cabestan

cabrestante

bocurgat

verricello

lier

βίντζι

Pronounced as (IPA)

/wɪnt͡ʃ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: wynche

Inherited from Old English: winċe

In summary

From Middle English wynche, from Old English winċe, from Proto-Germanic *winkijǭ, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European *weng- (“to bow, bend, arch, curve”), whence also wink.