snatch block

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. a fairlead having the form of a block that can be opened to receive the bight of a rope at any point along its length.

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snatch block British  

noun

1. nautical a block that can be opened so that a rope can be inserted from the side, without threading it through from the end

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Etymology

Origin of snatch block

First recorded in 1615–25

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snatch block

Lead aft to a snatch block fast to the aftermost ringbolts and forward free.

From Time Magazine Archive

"And, Billy,—'fore ye go ashore, jump into the yawl and take a look at that snatch block on the spar buoy,—that clam digger may want it 'fore night."

From The Veiled Lady and Other Men and Women by Francis Hopkinson Smith

To the top of the post was lashed the snatch block through which passed the wire rope.

From Concrete Construction Methods and Costs by Halbert Powers Gillette

Hence to haul the concrete cars up the grade by using a wire cable, it was necessary to anchor a snatch block at the center of the bridge.

From Concrete Construction Methods and Costs by Halbert Powers Gillette

It is principally used for securing the tail of a handy billy or snatch block to a larger rope, or when hanging off a rope with a stopper.

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

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