pulley
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a wheel with a groove for a rope or chain, used to pull or lift heavy things.
n.a wheel with a grooved rim in which a pulled rope or chain runs, used to change the direction of a force or provide mechanical advantage.
Simple“The workers used a pulley to lift the heavy engine out of the truck.”
In context“By using a system of multiple pulleys, the technician was able to hoist the heavy machinery with significantly less physical effort.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'block and tackle' when referring to a system of multiple pulleys.
Synonymssheaveblock - 02 C1 Advanced
v.to move or lift something using a pulley system.
v.to raise, lower, or move an object by means of a pulley or system of pulleys.
Simple“They pulleyed the supplies up to the second floor of the construction site.”
In context“The crew pulleyed the heavy stage equipment into the rafters before the concert began.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
From Middle English puly, poley, from Old French poulie, polie (“a pulley, windlass”), from Medieval Latin polidia, plural mistaken for the feminine of neuter polidium, from Ancient Greek πολίδιον (polídion, “little pivot”), diminutive of πόλος (pólos, “pivot, hinge, axis”), from Proto-Indo-European *kʷel- (“to turn”). Associated with pull (verb) by folk etymology.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.