capstan bar

American  

noun

1. a long lever for turning a capstan by hand.

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capstan bar British  

noun

1. a lever, often wooden, for turning a capstan

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Etymology

Origin of capstan bar

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

Mister Lynch stood with his capstan bar poised, as though he were at bat in a baseball game.

From The Blood Ship by Springer, Norman

It may seem very easy to turn a crank, to pump, to shoulder a box, to help carry a bale, or to push at a capstan bar, and this certainly is not skilled labour.

From For Fortune and Glory A Story of the Soudan War by Paget, Walter

“We’re hard at it, sir,” said Tom Jecks, who was handling his rifle as coolly as if it had been a capstan bar; “but I don’t think we’re hitting any of ’em.

From Blue Jackets The Log of the Teaser by Handforth, W.B.

He was a little, shrewd man, and knew a handspike from a capstan bar.

From A Sailor of King George by Bevan, A. Beckford

A Marline-Spike Hitch is used for getting a purchase with a marline-spike, capstan bar, etc., when putting on a seizing or lashing.

From Knots, Bends, Splices With tables of strengths of ropes, etc. and wire rigging by Jutsum, J. Netherclift