Winch1, n.
(wĭnch), n. [A-S. wince, a winch, a reel to wind thread upon.]
- A lever having a projecting handle at one end, and the other end fixed to an axle of a machine for giving motion to it, as in the grindstone, windlass, and the like.
- An instrument with which to turn or strain something forcibly; a crank-handle.
- An axle turned by a crank-handle, for raising weights, as from the hold of a ship, from mines, and the like; a windlass.
- A winching-machine.
