World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesWindlass
/ˈwɪnd.ləs/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A type of winch used on ships for hoisting heavy weights such as anchors, consisting of a horizontal cylinder rotated by the turn of a crank or motor.
"The sailors worked the windlass to haul up the heavy anchor from the seabed."
- 1
To hoist, haul, or lift something using a windlass mechanism.
"They windlassed the cargo securely onto the main deck."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'windas', borrowed from Old Norse 'vindáss', formed from 'vinda' (to wind) plus 'áss' (pole, beam). Historically shifted in meaning during the late medieval period to associate with nautical machinery due to folk etymology linking it to the wind.
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10 Global Lexicons: How "Windlass" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
guindeau
Transliteration: ɡɛ̃do
"L'équipage a actionné le guindeau pour remonter l'ancre."
Windsbraut
Transliteration: vɪntsbʁaʊt
Script: Ankerspill
"Die Besatzung bediente das Ankerspill, um das Schiff zu sichern."
verricello
Transliteration: verriˈtʃɛllo
"Il marinaio ha azionato il verricello per salpare l'ancora."
molinete
Transliteration: moliˈnete
"La tripulación usó el molinete para subir la pesada áncora."
cadernal
Transliteration: kaderˈnaw
Script: molinete
"O marinheiro girou o molinete para puxar a âncora."
चरखी
Transliteration: charkhi
"नाविकों ने भारी लंगर को खींचने के लिए चरखी का उपयोग किया।"
绞盘
Transliteration: jiǎopán
"水手们操作绞盘把锚拉了上来。"
권상기
Transliteration: kwonsang-gi
"선원들은 윈치와 권상기를 이용해 닻을 올렸다."
ウインドラス
Transliteration: uindorasu
Script: 起重機
"乗組員はウインドラスを使って錨を巻き上げた。"
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