CAPSTAN

Capstan

A capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on sailing ships to apply force to ropes, cables, and hawsers. The principle is similar to that of the windlass, which has a horizontal axle.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Capstan (nautical)
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capstan

Noun

  1. A vertical cleated drum or cylinder, revolving on an upright spindle, and surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for bars or levers. It is much used, especially on shipboard, for moving or raising heavy weights or exerting great power by traction upon a rope or cable, passing around the drum. It is operated either by steam power or by a number of men walking around the capstan, each pushing on the end of a lever fixed in its socket.
  2. A rotating spindle used to move recording tape through the mechanism of a tape recorder.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: capstan
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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