[pul.ley] n, pl pulleys [ME pouley, fr. MF poulie, prob. ultim. fr. Gk polos axis, pole--more at pole] (14c) 1: a sheave or small wheel with a grooved rim and with or without the block in which it runs used singly with a rope or chain to change the direction and point of application of a pulling force and in various combinations to increase the applied force esp. for lifting weights
2: a pulley or pulleys with ropes to form a tackle that constitutes one of the simple machines
3: a wheel used to transmit power by means of a band, belt, cord, rope, or chain passing over its rim