# capstan effect

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The friction between a rope (or other flexible material) around a curved surface (the capstan) exponentially amplifies the holding force, allowing a small tension on one side to resist a much larger tension on the other.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/capstan-effect