I. ˈderik, -rēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: after Derick (first name unknown) fl ab 1600 hangman at Tyburn, England
1. obsolete
a. : hangman
b. : gallows
2. : any of various hoisting apparatus employing a tackle rigged at the end of a beam: as
a. obsolete : a tackle rigged at the outer quarter of a mizzen yard
b. : a spar standing on end and carrying at the upper end a hoisting tackle, the upper end being also secured by guys sometimes in such a manner as to permit adjustments of the angle of the spar to the horizontal
c. : a crane consisting of a pivoting mast having fastened to its lower end a boom carrying at its outer end a hoisting tackle, the outer end also being secured by a tackle to the head of the mast so as to permit raising and lowering of the end of the boom
d. : a fixed arm or bracket projecting from a wall with a hoisting tackle at its end (as over a warehouse door)
3.
a. : the framework or tower over a deep drill hole (as that of an oil well) for supporting the tackle for boring or for hoisting and lowering
b. : a tall three-legged staging erected to support a hoisting crane (as in building construction)
[s]derrick.jpg[/s] [
derrick 3a
]
II. “, esp in pres part -rək transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to hoist, convey, or load by means of a derrick