parbuckle

A worker uses a parbuckle to lift a barrel onto a cart.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rope or tackle used for raising or lowering cylindrical objects: A "parbuckle" is a specific arrangement of ropes, typically a double sling, used to hoist or lower barrels, casks, or other round items by rolling them up or down an inclined plane.

2. Verb:

   • To raise or lower using a parbuckle: The action of moving a cylindrical object by means of this rope arrangement.
   • To haul or drag with a parbuckle: To pull or maneuver an object using the rope sling technique.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The sailors rigged a parbuckle to lift the heavy barrel onto the ship. (A rope tackle for hoisting a cylindrical object.)
  • He learned the proper method for tying a parbuckle to move the cask down the ramp. (A specific rope arrangement for lowering.)

• Verb:

  • They parbuckled the keg up the steep hill using a simple pulley system. (They raised the keg using the rope technique.)
  • The workers carefully parbuckled the heavy drum down to the cellar. (They lowered the drum using the parbuckle method.)

Advanced Usage

• "To parbuckle up": to hoist or raise an object using a parbuckle.

  • The crew parbuckled up the water barrel from the dock. (They raised the barrel using the rope sling.)

• "To parbuckle down": to lower an object using a parbuckle.

  • The team parbuckled down the heavy crate into the hold. (They lowered the crate using the rope tackle.)

Variants and Related Words

• Parbuckling (n): the act or process of using a parbuckle.

  • Parbuckling is an essential skill for moving heavy cylindrical cargo. (The technique of using a parbuckle.)

• Parbuckle sling (n): the specific rope arrangement used in parbuckling.

  • The parbuckle sling must be securely fastened around the barrel. (The rope sling designed for parbuckling.)

Synonyms

• Hoist: to raise or lift something, especially with mechanical means.
• Tackle: a system of ropes and pulleys for lifting.
• Sling: a rope or strap used for lifting or carrying.

Phrasal Verbs

• Parbuckle up: to raise an object using a parbuckle.

  • We need to parbuckle up the cask to the top floor. (Hoist the cask using the rope technique.)

• Parbuckle down: to lower an object using a parbuckle.

  • Can you parbuckle down the barrel without damaging it? (Lower the barrel using the rope method.)

Related Idioms

• "Like a parbuckle": describing a smooth, rolling motion, especially for heavy objects.

  • The barrel moved down the ramp like a parbuckle. (The barrel rolled smoothly and steadily.)

• "Parbuckle method": a traditional technique for moving cylindrical loads.

  • They used the parbuckle method to transport the wine casks. (The traditional rope technique.)