[wind-luh
s] 
| 1. | a device for raising or hauling objects, usually consisting of a horizontal cylinder or barrel turned by a crank, lever, motor, or the like, upon which a cable, rope, or chain winds, the outer end of the cable being attached directly or indirectly to the weight to be raised or the thing to be hauled or pulled; winch. |
| 2. | to raise, haul, or move (a load) by means of a windlass. |
| wind·lass (wĭnd'ləs) n. Any of numerous hauling or lifting machines consisting essentially of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank or a motor so that a line attached to the load is wound around the cylinder. tr.v. wind·lassed, wind·lass·ing, wind·lass·es To raise with a windlass. [Middle English wyndlas, alteration of windas, from Old Norse vindāss : vinda, to wind + āss, pole.] |