pulley

pul·ley

noun \ˈpu̇-lē\

plural pulleys

Definition of PULLEY

1

: a sheave or small wheel with a grooved rim and with or without the block in which it runs used singly with a rope or chain to change the direction and point of application of a pulling force and in various combinations to increase the applied force especially for lifting weights

2

: a pulley or pulleys with ropes to form a tackle that constitutes one of the simple machines

3

: a wheel used to transmit power by means of a band, belt, cord, rope, or chain passing over its rim

Illustration of PULLEY

Origin of PULLEY

Middle English poley, pully, from Anglo-French pulie, probably ultimately from Greek polos axis, pole — more at pole

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with PULLEY

bully, gully, puli, woolly