noun
windlass
WIND-lus/ˈwɪndləs/
A device that lifts or hauls heavy loads by winding rope or chain around a drum.
The windlass lifts the bucket by winding its rope around the horizontal axle.
Etymology
The name reflects a Scandinavian “winding beam” compound, such as the Old Norse elements shown. The image describes a cylinder that raises a heavy load by winding up its rope.
In context
anchor uh the crew up here needs to make sure that the chain is ready so what they're going to do is they're going to uh turn on the anchor windlass and slowly take the pressure
More examples
- She turns the windlass handle to lift the bucket from the well.
- The chain winds around the drum of the windlass.
- Electric windlasses make raising large anchors easier.
Forms
windlass · windlasses