Definition of "windlass" in English

noun

1. Any of various forms of winch, in which a rope or cable is wound around a cylinder, used for lifting heavy weights

2. A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course.

3. An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.

verb

1. To raise with, or as if with, a windlass; to use a windlass.

2. To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.