windlass
1 synonym for windlass, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A machine that lifts heavy weights by winding a rope or cable around a turning cylinder.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English wyndlas, wyndelas, wyndlasse, wyndelasse, probably an altered form (influenced by Middle English windel) of Middle English windas, wyndas, wyndace, itself from Anglo-Norman windase, windeis and Old Northern French windas (compare Old French guindas, Medieval Latin windasius, windasa), from Old...
Full origin of windlass →