Hypertext Webster Gateway: "derrick"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Derrick \Der"rick\, n. (Mining)
The pyramidal structure or tower over a deep drill hole, such
as that of an oil well.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Derrick \Der"rick\, n. [Orig., a gallows, from a hangman named
Derrick. The name is of Dutch origin; D. Diederik, Dierryk,
prop. meaning, chief of the people; cf. AS. pe['o]dric, E.
Theodoric, G. Dietrich. See {Dutch}, and {Rich}.]
A mast, spar, or tall frame, supported at the top by stays or
guys, with suitable tackle for hoisting heavy weights, as
stones in building.
{Derrick crane}, a combination of the derrick and the crane,
having facility for hoisting and also for swinging the
load horizontally.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
derrick
n 1: a framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to
be raised and lowered
2: a simple crane having lifting tackle slung from a boom
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