Standard Lemma guide

polyspast

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A machine consisting of many pulleys

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: block and tackle, muffle, hoisting-tackle

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A machine of many pulleys, formerly used to reduce dislocation

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: surgical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A windlass with many pulleys and truckles

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: engineering, mechanical-engineering, mechanics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin polyspaston (“hoisting-tackle with many pulleys”), from Ancient Greek πολύσπαστον (polúspaston, “compound pulley”).