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US /ˈpʊli/ UK /ˈpʊli/
Freq #30826

Meanings

  1. 1
  2. 2

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · a grooved wheel over which... sheaveblock
2 verb · to raise, lower, or move... hoistwinch
Word family
Forms pulleys
Derived forms micropulleypulleylike
Related forms block and tacklehoistwheel

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Pulley, recorded in late Middle English, probably ultimately comes from Greek polos “pivot” or “axis.” The same Greek word also gave Latin polus, the source of pole in the geographical and astronomical sense.

Etymology

From Middle English puly, from Old French polie or poulie, ultimately from Medieval Latin polidium and Ancient Greek polos ("pivot, axis"). Its resemblance to pull later encouraged a folk-etymological association in English.

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