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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

3 words match “HANDSPIKE”

HANDSPIKE n.
A bar or lever, generally of wood, used in a windlass or capstan, for heaving anchor, and, in modified forms, for various purposes.
CAPSTAN n.
mproperly.] Capstan bar, one of the long bars or levers by which the capstan is worked; a handspike.. -- 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. -- To rig the capstan, to prepare the for use, by putting the bars in the…
TRAVERSING a.
late (Mil.), one of two thick iron plates at the hinder part of a gun carriage, where the handspike is applied in traversing the piece. Wilhelm. -- Traversing platform (Mil.), a platform for traversing guns.