Adjacent Words

derrick definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to be raised and lowered
2: a simple crane having lifting tackle slung from a boom

Merriam Webster's

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

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a kind of crane for moving or lifting heavy weights, having a movable pivoted arm. 2 the framework over an oil well or similar excavation, holding the drilling machinery. Etymology: obs. senses hangman, gallows, f. the name of a London hangman c.1600

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Derrick Der"rick, n. (Mining) The pyramidal structure or tower over a deep drill hole, such as that of an oil well.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Derrick Der"rick, n. [Orig., a gallows, from a hangman named Derrick. The name is of Dutch origin; D. Diederik, Dierryk, prop. meaning, chief of the people; cf. AS. pe['o]dric, E. Theodoric, G. Dietrich. See Dutch, and Rich.] A mast, spar, or tall frame, supported at the top by stays or guys, with suitable tackle for hoisting heavy weights, as stones in building. Derrick crane, a combination of the derrick and the crane, having facility for hoisting and also for swinging the load horizontally.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(derricks) 1. A derrick is a machine that is used to move cargo on a ship by lifting it in the air. N-COUNT 2. A derrick is a tower built over an oil well which is used to raise and lower the drill. N-COUNT

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

The name of the finisher of the law, or hangman about the year 1608.--'For he rides his circuit with the Devil, and Derrick must be his host, and Tiburne the inne at which he will lighte.' Vide Bellman of London, in art. PRIGGIN LAW.--'At the gallows, where I leave them, as to the haven at which they must all cast anchor, if Derrick's cables do but hold.' Ibid.

Moby Thesaurus

antenna tower, barbican, belfry, bell tower, campanile, colossus, column, crab, crane, cupola, dome, erector, fire tower, forklift, gantry crane, hoist, hydraulic tailgate, jack, jackscrew, lantern, lever, lift, lifter, lighthouse, martello, martello tower, mast, minaret, monument, obelisk, observation tower, pagoda, pilaster, pillar, pinnacle, pole, pylon, pyramid, shaft, skyscraper, spire, standpipe, steeple, stupa, tackle, television mast, tope, tour, tower, turret, water tower, windlass, windmill tower