shear legs

English

Alternative forms

• shearlegs
• sheerlegs
• sheer legs

Noun

shear legs (uncountable)

1. (nautical) A form of derrick, consisting of three poles and a block and tackle, used to hoist and lower heavy weights, especially the masts of sailing ships.
   • 1979 August, Michael Harris, “A line for all reasons: the North Yorkshire Moors Railway”, in Railway World, pages 412, 414:

     Apart from its unique public viewing gallery, the depot features 40-ton capacity shear legs which will be complemented shortly by an overhead lifting crane.

Synonyms

• sheers

Translations

device for lifting heavy weights

• Maori: tokorangi