View synonyms for hoist

hoist

[ hoistor, sometimes, hahyst ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to raise or lift, especially by some mechanical appliance:
to hoist a flag; to hoist the mainsail.
Synonyms: elevate
Antonyms: lower
to raise to one's lips and drink; drink (especially beer or whiskey) with gusto:
Let's go hoist a few beers.
Archaic. a simple past tense and past participle of hoise.

an apparatus for hoisting, as a block and tackle, a derrick, or a crane.
act of hoisting; a lift:
Give that sofa a hoist at your end.
Nautical.
1. the vertical dimension amidships of any square sail that is hoisted with a yard. Compare drop ( def 31 ).
2. the distance between the hoisted and the lowered position of such a yard.
3. the dimension of a fore-and-aft sail along the luff.
4. a number of flags raised together as a signal.
(on a flag)
1. the vertical dimension as flown from a vertical staff.
2. the edge running next to the staff. Compare fly ²( def 30b ).

hoist

/ hɔɪst /

any apparatus or device for hoisting
the act of hoisting
See rotary clothesline
nautical
1. the amidships height of a sail bent to the yard with which it is hoisted Compare drop
2. the difference between the set and lowered positions of this yard
nautical the length of the luff of a fore-and-aft sail
nautical a group of signal flags
the inner edge of a flag next to the staff Compare fly 1

Origin of hoist¹

First recorded in 1540–50; later variant of hoise, with -t as in against, etc.

Origin of hoist¹

C16: variant of hoise, probably from Low German; compare Dutch hijschen, German hissen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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