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Webster 1913 Edition

Derrick

Der′rick

,
Noun.
[Orig., a gallows, from a hangman named
Derrick
. The name is of Dutch origin; D.
Diederik
,
Dierryk
, prop. meaning, chief of the people; cf. AS.
peódric
, E.
Theodoric
, G.
Dietrich
. See
Dutch
, and
Rich
.]
1.
A mast, spar, or tall frame, supported at the top by stays or guys, and usually pivoted at the base, with suitable tackle for hoisting heavy weights, such as stones in building.
Derrick crane
,
a combination of the derrick and the crane, having facility for hoisting and also for swinging the load horizontally.

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