Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GURDY, n. The pulley on a self-acting incline in a coal-mine (Fif., Lth. 1955), a cousie-wheel (see Cowsy).Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 34:
Gurdy, an arrangement of three pulleys with brake for self-acting inclines.