Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SCREW, n. [D. schroef; G. schraube; Dan. skruve or skrue; Sw. skruf. The primary sense is probably to turn, or, rather to strain. Class Rb.]

1. A cylinder of wood or metal, grooved spirally; or a cylinder with a spiral channel or thread cut in such a manner that is equally inclined to the base of the cylinder throughout the whole length. A screw is male or female. In the male screw, the thread rises from the surface of the cylinder; in the female, the groove or channel is sunk below the surface to receive the thread of the male screw.
2. One of the six mechanical powers.