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{ Tag Archives } trochlea

Sheaves and blocks.

Vitruvius (De Architectura 10.2): In trocleam induntur orbiculi duo per axiculos versationes habentes. Two pulley wheels are inserted into the block, turning on its axles. From what I can tell so far, classical Latin does not seem to have a word exactly corresponding to ‘pulley’; there was the sheave—the grooved wheel itself—orbiculus, and there was […]

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2008 08 04 Muke Latin Comments (0)

Rechamus.

Vitruvius (De Architectura 10.2): Alligatur in summo trochlea, quem etiam nonnulli rechamum dicunt. The pulley block, which some also call rechamus, is fastened at the top. This mysterious word rechamus appears to be very rare, and I would quite like to know its etymon. [For trochlea.]

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2008 07 07 Muke Latin Comments (0)