capstan : Idioms & Phrases


Capstan bar

  • one of the long bars or levers by which the capstan is worked; a handspike..
Webster 1913

Jeer capstan

  • (Naut.), an extra capstan usually placed between the foremast and mainmast.
Webster 1913

To come up the capstan

  • (Naut.), to turn it the contrary way, so as to slacken the rope about it.
Webster 1913

To pawl the capstan

  • to drop the pawls so that they will catch in the notches of the pawl ring, and prevent the capstan from turning back.
Webster 1913

To rig the capstan

  • to prepare the for use, by putting the bars in the sockets.
Webster 1913

To surge the capstan

  • to slack the tension of the rope or cable wound around it.
Webster 1913