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derrick

der·rick

UK/ˈdɛɹɪk/ US/ˈdɛrɪk/ fairly common informal

noun

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

Origin

Named after British executioner Thomas Derrick, who invented the framework arrangement commonly known by this name to aid in the conduct of executions. First use appears c. 1600 in the publication Ballad Death Earl Essex.

Phrases

  • Scotch derrick

Related words

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.