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Webster 1913 Edition

(-stŏkˊ)

Noun.

(Mach.)

A part (usually separate from the bed or frame) for supporting some of the principal working parts of a machine

; as:

(a)

The part of a lathe that holds the revolving spindle and its attachments; – also called

poppet head

, the opposite corresponding part being called a tailstock.

(b)

The part of a planing machine that supports the cutter, etc.

headstock ‎(plural headstocks)

(mining) A headframe.
A part of a machine (such as a lathe or drill) that supports a rotating part
- 1913, DH Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, chapter 6
  It was a beautiful day. At Brinsley pit the white steam melted slowly in the sunshine of a soft blue sky; the wheels of the headstocks twinkled high up; the screen, shuffling its coal into the trucks, made a busy noise.
A beam that supports a bell.
A clamp that restrains a cow by the neck.
The part of a lute-type string instrument, such as a guitar, that holds the tuning pegs or tensioning screws of the strings.

part of a lute-type string instrument