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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Windlass \Wind"lass\, n.[Perhaps from wind to turn lace.]
A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course; a shift.
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Windlass \Wind"lass\, v. i.
To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect
means. [Obs.] --Hammond.
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Windlass \Wind"lass\, n. [OE. windelas, windas, Icel.
vindil[=a]ss, vind[=a]s, fr. vinda to wind [=a]ss a pole;
cf. Goth. ans a beam. See {Wind} to turn.]
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1. A machine for raising weights, consisting of a horizontal
cylinder or roller moving on its axis, and turned by a
crank, lever, or similar means, so as to wind up a rope or
chain attached to the weight. In vessels the windlass is
often used instead of the capstan for raising the anchor.
It is usually set upon the forecastle, and is worked by
hand or steam.
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2. An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending
the bow of an arblast, or crossbow. [Obs.] --Shak.
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{Chinese windlass}. See {Differential windlass}, under
{Differential}.
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Windlass \Wind"lass\, v. t. & i.
To raise with, or as with, a windlass; to use a windlass.
--The Century.
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