windlass

Meaning

Noun

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.

Verb

1. To raise with, or as if with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
2. To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.

Synonyms

pulley

capstan

winch

hoist

tackle

hoisting

jigger

lift

lifting

roll

tommy

turn

wheel

🛞

winder

winding

block and tackle

donkey engine

wheel and axle

advancement

anchor windlass drive

block

burton

derrick

exaltation

Translations

Winde

argano

torno

verricello

windas

bocurgat

ırgat

Ankerwinde

μανιβέλα

winden

Haspel

treuil

malacate

molinete

Ankerspill

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈwɪnd.ləs/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: wyndlas

Cognate with Middle English: windel

Cognate with Middle English: windas

Cognate with Old French: guindas

Cognate with Icelandic: vindilass

In summary

From Middle English wyndlas, wyndelas, wyndlasse, wyndelasse, probably an alteration (due to Middle English windel) of Middle English windas, wyndas, wyndace, from Anglo-Norman windase, windeis and Old Northern French windas (compare Old French guindas, Medieval Latin windasius, windasa), from Old Norse vindáss (“windlass”, literally “winding-pole”), from vinda (“to wind”) + áss (“pole”). Compare Icelandic vindilass.