Capstan vs. Winch

Capstannoun

(nautical) A vertical cylindrical machine that revolves on a spindle, used to apply force to ropes, cables, etc. It is typically surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for levers used to turn it.

Capstannoun

(electronics) A rotating spindle used to move recording tape through the mechanism of a tape recorder.

Capstannoun

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.

Capstannoun

a windlass rotated in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis; used on ships for weighing anchor or raising heavy sails

Capstannoun

a broad revolving cylinder with a vertical axis used for winding a rope or cable, powered by a motor or pushed round by levers.

Capstannoun

the motor-driven spindle on a tape recorder that makes the tape travel past the head at constant speed.

Winchnoun

A machine consisting of a drum on an axle, a friction brake or ratchet and pawl, and a crank handle or prime mover (often an electric or hydraulic motor), with or without gearing, to give increased mechanical advantage when hauling on a rope or cable.

Winchnoun

(nautical) A hoisting machine used for loading or discharging cargo, or for hauling in lines. (FM 55-501).

Winchnoun

A wince (machine used in dyeing or steeping cloth).

Winchnoun

A kick, as of an animal, from impatience or uneasiness.

Winchverb

To use a winch

Winchverb

To wince; to shrink

Winchverb

To kick with impatience or uneasiness.

Winchverb

To wince; to shrink; to kick with impatience or uneasiness.

Winchnoun

A kick, as of a beast, from impatience or uneasiness.

Winchnoun

A crank with a handle, for giving motion to a machine, a grindstone, etc.

Winchnoun

An instrument with which to turn or strain something forcibly.

Winchnoun

An axle or drum turned by a crank with a handle, or by power, for raising weights, as from the hold of a ship, from mines, etc.; a windlass.

Winchnoun

A wince.

Winchnoun

lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds

Winchverb

pull or lift up with or as if with a winch;

Winchnoun

a hauling or lifting device consisting of a rope or chain winding round a horizontal rotating drum, turned typically by a crank or by motor.

Winchnoun

the reel of a fishing rod.

Winchnoun

another term for wince

Winchnoun

the crank of a wheel or axle.

Winchverb

hoist or haul with a winch

Winch

A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in (wind up) or let out (wind out) or otherwise adjust the tension of a rope or wire rope (also called or ). In its simplest form, it consists of a spool (or drum) attached to a hand crank.