capstan

American  

[kap-stuhn, -stan] / ˈkæp stən, -stæn /

noun

1. any of various windlasses, rotated in a horizontal plane by hand or machinery, for winding in ropes, cables, etc.

2. a rotating spindle or shaft, powered by an electric motor, that transports magnetic tape past the heads of a tape recorder at a constant speed.

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capstan British  

/ ˈkæpstən /

noun

1. a machine with a drum that rotates round a vertical spindle and is turned by a motor or lever, used for hauling in heavy ropes, etc

2. any similar device, such as the rotating shaft in a tape recorder that pulls the tape past the head

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Etymology

Origin of capstan

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French cabestan ( t ) < Old Provençal cabestan, variant of cabestran, presumably present participle of *cabest ( r ) ar, a verbal derivative of cabestre halter < Latin capistrum

Example Sentences

Stevenson’s camera gets into the machines — there’s a good deal of hot capstan, video-head and pinch-roller action.

From New York Times • Sep. 10, 2020

Oxen will be brought in to secure the bridge using a capstan, a vertical-axle rotating machine that applies force to ropes and is used to raise sails.

From Washington Times • Apr. 26, 2015

Babcock fiddles with pulleys, then applies a greasing of Ivory soap where rope meets capstan.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some of its main features include living quarters, electric illumination, an electric capstan controlling a 125-pound anchor, two water-tight transverse bulkheads, sleeping quarters for five, a chart room.

From Time Magazine Archive

Four husky sailors in blue jackets and bright kerchiefs had hurried forward to man the capstan bars.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare