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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

capstan

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

For easier docking, twin Maxwell VC2200 capstan winches port and starboard are standard, a feature that will come in handy when The Good Life begins to tie stern-to in the Med or other overseas ports.

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

“The sound of men stamping overhead as they run about. There is the creaking of a chain, and the loud tinkle as the check of the capstan falls into the rachet.”

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

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