Archimedes' screw

or Archimedean screw

noun

a device consisting essentially of a spiral passage within an inclined cylinder for raising water to a height when rotated.

Origin of Archimedes' screw

First recorded in 1860–65

Also called water snail.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for archimedes' screw

Archimedes' screw

Archimedean screw

noun

an ancient type of water-lifting device making use of a spiral passage in an inclined cylinder. The water is raised when the spiral is rotated

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012