winze

¹

or windz

[ winz ]

noun

, Mining.

1. a vertical or inclined shaft driven downward from a drift into an orebody.

winze

²

[ winz ]

noun

, Scot.

1. a curse.

winze

/ wɪnz /

noun

1. mining a steeply inclined shaft, as for ventilation between levels

Word History and Origins

Origin of winze¹

1750–60; earlier winds, apparently derivative of wind ² in obsolete noun sense “apparatus for winding”

Origin of winze²

1775–85; perhaps < Dutch wens wish, wensen to wish; wish

Word History and Origins

Origin of winze¹

C18: from earlier winds, probably from C14 wynde windlass, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German winde; related to Danish vinde pulley

Example Sentences

Winze, winz, n. in mining, a small ventilating shaft between two levels.

From Project Gutenberg

It was easy for a man to fall down an uncovered winze in a strange mine.

From Project Gutenberg

They seized Oliver by the arms and dragged him hastily towards the nearest winze that led upward.

From Project Gutenberg

They were in a level which the water entered, not by flowing along or descending, but, by rising up through a winze.

From Project Gutenberg

On hearing the noise they ran to this winze, and, looking down, saw the water boiling and roaring far below.

From Project Gutenberg