What is the meaning of Windlass?

Any of various forms of winch, in which a rope or cable is wound around a cylinder, used for lifting heavy weights

A winding and circuitous way; a roundabout course.

An apparatus resembling a winch or windlass, for bending the bow of an arblast, or crossbow.

To raise with, or as if with, a windlass; to use a windlass.

To take a roundabout course; to work warily or by indirect means.

Source: wiktionary.org

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