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

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 Smith, Francis Hopkinson

The section was then hauled ahead by passing the main fall of the derrick through a snatch block on the first rib.

From Concrete Construction Methods and Costs by Gillette, Halbert Powers

Then, at the word of command, the men together drop the car, and seize the three guy ropes, of which one is made to pass through a snatch block firmly secured.

From The Dominion of the Air; the story of aerial navigation by Bacon, John Mackenzie

Maybe you noticed the boys used the snatch block two or three times this afternoon?

From Big Timber A Story of the Northwest by Sinclair, Bertrand W.