capstan /ˈkæp.stən/ noun3 •A vertical cylindrical machine that revolves on a spindle, typically surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for levers for turning it; used to apply force to cables, ropes, etc."Man the capstan! Blood and thunder!—jump!"—was the next command, and the crew sprang for the handspikes. — 1851 •A rotating spindle used to move recording tape through the mechanism of a tape recorder. •a screw on the rising side of a piano key, which serves the function of lifting the wippen when the key is depressed formscapstans
