Webster's English Dictionary

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pulley

pul.ley \'pu.l-e-\ n [ME pouley, fr. MF poulie, prob. deriv. of Gk polos 
   axis, pol]e 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 esp. 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