fairlead

or fair·lead·er

[fair-leed or fair-lee-der]

noun

a pulley, thimble, etc., used to guide a rope forming part of the rigging of a ship, crane, etc., in such a way as to prevent chafing.

Machinery. (on power shovels or cranes) a swiveling mounting for sheaves, over which cables pass.

Origin of fairlead

First recorded in 1855–60; fair¹ + lead¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fairlead

Historical Examples of fairlead

Judson was watching the last hawser slipping through the fairlead.
Soldiers Three, Part II.
Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for fairlead

fairlead

fairleader

noun

nautical a block or ring through which a line is rove to keep it clear of obstructions, prevent chafing, or maintain it at an angleAlso called: leader

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