hoist

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Quotations 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Alteration of hoise, apparently based on the past tense and participle. Confer Danish hisse, German hissen, Italian issare (loaned from a Germanic source).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /hɔɪst/

  Rhymes: -ɔɪst

[edit] Verb

to hoist (third-person singular simple present hoists, present participle hoisting, simple past and past participle hoisted or hoist)

1. (transitive) To raise; to lift; to elevate; especially, to raise or lift to a desired elevation, by means of tackle or pulley, as a sail, a flag, a heavy package or weight.
   • 1719: Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

     ...but this last was so heavy, I could not hoist it up to get it over the ship's side.

2. (transitive, historical) To lift someone up to be flogged.
3. (intransitive) To be lifted up.

[edit] Usage notes

• "Hoisted" is about fifteen times more common than "hoist" in US usage as past and past participle.

[edit] Quotations

• They land my goods, and hoist my flying sails. — Alexander Pope
• Hoisting him into his father’s throne. — Robert South

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

hoist (plural hoists)

1. A hoisting device, such as pulley or crane.
2. The perpendicular height of a flag, as opposed to the fly, or horizontal length, when flying from a staff.
3. The vertical edge of a flag which is next to the staff.
4. The height of a fore-and-aft sail, next the mast or stay.

[edit] Translations