A frame of two strong timbers fixed perpendicularly in
   the fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables as the ship
   rides at anchor, or in warping. Other bitts are used for belaying
   (belaying bitts), for sustaining the windlass (carrick bitts, winch
   bitts, or windlass bitts), to hold the pawls of the windlass (pawl
   bitts) etc.