Capstan
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.
Related Definitions:
An,
And,
Around,
By,
Cable,
Capstan,
Cylinder,
Drum,
Drumhead,
Each,
Either,
End,
Especially,
Exerting,
Fixed,
For,
Great,
Heavy,
In,
Is,
It,
Lever,
Men,
Moving,
Much,
Number,
Of,
On,
Operated,
Or,
Passing,
Power,
Pushing,
Raising,
Revolving,
Rope,
Shipboard,
Socket,
Spindle,
Steam,
Surmounted,
The,
Traction,
Upon,
Upright,
Used,
Vertical,
Walking,
With
Capstan Translations
capstan in German is Rollenantrieb
capstan in Spanish is cabrestante
capstan in Swedish is ankarspel
Copyright © 2001 - 2012 BrainyQuote
BookRags Media Network
