Main Entry:

der·rick

Pronunciation:

\ˈder-ik, ˈde-rik\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

obsolete derrick hangman, gallows, from Derick, name of 17th century English hangman

Date:

circa 1752

1 : a hoisting apparatus employing a tackle rigged at the end of a beam 2 : a framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as of an oil well) for supporting boring tackle or for hoisting and lowering

[derrick illustration]