polyspast
nounEtymology From Latin polyspaston (“hoisting-tackle with many pulleys”), from Ancient Greek πολύσπαστον (polúspaston, “compound pulley”).
1
A machine consisting of many pulleys
- The Bishop of Chrysopolis, his Majesty's former tutor, consecrated the foundation-stone, which was suspended from two elegant polyspasts; the Emperor himself laid it.1849, Adalbert, Travels of His Royal Highness Prince Adalbert of Prussia, page 275:
2
A machine of many pulleys, formerly used to reduce dislocation
3
Engineering, Mechanical engineering, Mechanics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences A windlass with many pulleys and truckles