capstan

[ kap-stuhn, -stan ]

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.

capstan

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capstan¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of capstan¹

C14: from Old Provençal cabestan, from Latin capistrum a halter, from capere to seize

Example Sentences

“Because,” Collins growled, “he sailed on privateers before he was knee high to a capstan. He knows guns. If we have trouble with the French he’ll be worth the rest of the crew put together.”

From Literature

Men leaped to the capstan and heaved the anchor.

From Literature

“When a ship is becalmed—the wind died down—she can’t move—sometimes the sailors break out their oars. They’ll row a boat ahead of the ship and tow her. Or they’ll carry out anchors and heave them over, and the crew will lean on the capstan bars and drag the ship up to where the anchors are heaved over. Oars are made of ash—white ash. So—when you get ahead by your own get-up-and-get—that’s when you ‘sail by ash breeze’.”

From Literature

Men walked round the capstan, leaning on the bars, heaving the anchor.

From Literature

A baffled, bewildered crew blundered on deck, and walked round the capstan.

From Literature