shear-legs
Definition
Noun (plural in form, used with a singular or plural verb): - A hoisting apparatus: "shear-legs" refers to a lifting device consisting of two or more long poles or spars fastened together at the top, with a pulley at the junction, used for raising heavy objects, especially on ships or in construction.
Usage Examples
- (A hoisting apparatus on a ship.)
- (A lifting device used in maritime contexts.)
Advanced Usage
"to rig shear-legs": to set up or assemble this hoisting device.
- They had to rig shear-legs to raise the broken mast. (They set up the lifting apparatus to hoist a damaged mast.)
"shear-legs crane": a type of crane that uses the same principle, often mounted on a vessel.
- The shear-legs crane on the barge lifted the steel beams easily. (A crane with a similar design.)
Variants and Related Words
Sheer-legs (n): an alternative spelling of "shear-legs," with the same meaning.
- The sheer-legs were dismantled after the job was finished. (The hoisting device was taken apart.)
Shear (n): a cutting tool or machine, but in this compound, it refers to the legs of the apparatus that "shear" or separate under load.
Synonyms
- Derrick: a similar lifting device with a single boom.
- Crane: a general term for lifting machinery, though shear-legs are a specific type.
Related Idioms
- "Shear-legs" is not commonly used in idioms; it is a technical term primarily in nautical and engineering contexts.