Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WINDASS, n. Also wyndess, windies, winniss, winnace, winnos-; pl. winnowses, wunnowses. [′wɪn(d)ɪs]

1. A windlass, specif. one used for taking up water from the shaft of a coal-mine (Rnf. c.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) W.35, winniss). Obs. in Eng. Hence winnaceman, winnos-, a windlass operator.Gsw. 1730 Gsw. Past and Present (1884) II. 516:
The whole coall heughers, winnace men, and other servants whatever, belonging to the said coall works.Sc. 1743 Edb. Commiss. Test. MSS. CVII.:
Seven pairs of branks and a windies tow and a windies tree and handles.Lnk. 1757 Session Papers, Petition R. Bogle (13 June) 16:
The Deponent is a Winnosman at the Defender's Coal-works.

2. A fan for winnowing grain (Rxb. 1825 Jam., †1923 Watson W.-B., winnowses, wunnowses).Abd. 1738 Monymusk Papers (S.H.S.) 11:
A Wyndess, one pound Scots.Rxb. 1806 J. Hogg Poems 104:
Wi windasses folks' corn to dight.