\Pul"ley\, n.; pl. {Pulleys}. [F. poulie, perhaps of
Teutonic origin (cf. {Poll}, v. t.); but cf. OE. poleine,
polive, pulley, LL. polanus, and F. poulain, properly, a
colt, fr. L. pullus young animal, foal (cf. {Pullet},
{Foal}). For the change of sense, cf. F. poutre beam,
originally, a filly, and E. easel.] (Mach.)
A wheel with a broad rim, or grooved rim, for transmitting
power from, or imparting power to, the different parts of
machinery, or for changing the direction of motion, by means
of a belt, cord, rope, or chain.
Note: The pulley, as one of the mechanical powers, consists,
      in its simplest form, of a grooved wheel, called a
      sheave, turning within a movable frame or block, by
      means of a cord or rope attached at one end to a fixed
      point. The force, acting on the free end of the rope,
      is thus doubled, but can move the load through only
      half the space traversed by itself. The rope may also
      pass over a sheave in another block that is fixed. The
      end of the rope may be fastened to the movable block,
      instead of a fixed point, with an additional gain of
      power, and using either one or two sheaves in the fixed
      block. Other sheaves may be added, and the power
      multiplied accordingly. Such an apparatus is called by
      workmen a block and tackle, or a fall and tackle. See
      {Block}. A single fixed pulley gives no increase of
      power, but serves simply for changing the direction of
      motion.
{Band pulley}, or {Belt pulley}, a pulley with a broad face
   for transmitting power between revolving shafts by means
   of a belt, or for guiding a belt.
{Cone pulley}. See {Cone pulley}.
{Conical pulley}, one of a pair of belt pulleys, each in the
   shape of a truncated cone, for varying velocities.
{Fast pulley}, a pulley firmly attached upon a shaft.
{Loose pulley}, a pulley loose on a shaft, to interrupt the
   transmission of motion in machinery. See {Fast and loose
   pulleys}, under {Fast}.
{Parting pulley}, a belt pulley made in semicircular halves,
   which can be bolted together, to facilitate application
   to, or removal from, a shaft.
{Pulley block}. Same as {Block}, n. 6.
{Pulley stile} (Arch.), the upright of the window frame into
   which a pulley is fixed and along which the sash slides.
{Split pulley}, a parting pulley.

\Pul"ley\, b. t.
To raise or lift by means of a pulley. [R.] --Howell.