windass.html - n.
1 the friction of air against the moving part of a machine.
2 a the effect of the wind in deflecting a missile. b an allowance for this.
3 the difference between the diameter of a gun's bore and its projectile, allowing the escape of gas.

windass.html - See: GET WIND OF, GOD TEMPERS THE WIND TO THE SHORN LAMB, GONE WITH THE WIND, IN THE WIND, IT'S AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY GOOD, SECOND WIND, STRAW IN THE WIND, TAKE THE WIND OUT OF ONE'S SAILS, THREE SHEETS IN THE WIND or THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND, THROW CAUTION TO THE WIND, WAY THE WIND BLOWS or HOW THE WIND BLOWS.

windass.html - {v.} 1. To tighten the spring of a machine; to make it work or run. * /Mary wound up the toy car and let it run across the room./ * /He doesn't have to wind up his watch because it is run by a battery./ 2. To make very excited, nervous, upset. - Usually used in the past participle. * /The excitement of her birthday party got Jane all wound up so she could not sleep./ 3. {informal} To bring or come to an end; finish; stop. * /John got two hits and wound his afternoon up with a home run./ * /Before Jim knew it, he had spent all his money and he wound up broke./ * /The boys followed the path to the left and wound up where they started./ Syn.: END UP. Compare: FINISH OFF, TURN OUT(6). 4. To put (your business or personal affairs) in order; arrange; settle. * /Fred wound up his business and personal affairs before joining the Navy./ 5. To swing your arm with the ball just before pitching to a batter. * /The pitcher wound up quickly and then threw a curve./

windass.html - {n.} Someone who talks too much; a boring person. * /Uncle Joe goes on and on; he is a boring windbag./

windass.html - {n.} An unexpected gift or gain of sizeable proportion. * /The unexpected retroactive pay raise was a most welcome windfall./

windass.html - See: GO OUT THE WINDOW.