crosshead

[ kraws-hed, kros- ]

noun

1. Printing. a title or heading heading filling a line or group of lines the full width of the column.
2. Machinery. a sliding member of a reciprocating engine for keeping the motion of the joint between a piston rod and a connecting rod in a straight line.
3. Nautical. a crosspiece on a rudderpost by which the rudder is turned.
4. Engineering, Building Trades. a transverse timber for transmitting the lifting effort of two or more jackscrews supporting it to the foot of a shore that it supports. Compare shore ²( def 1 ).

crosshead

/ ˈkrɒsˌhɛd /

noun

1. printing a subsection or paragraph heading printed within the body of the text
2. a block or beam, usually restrained by sliding bearings in a reciprocating mechanism, esp the junction piece between the piston rod and connecting rod of an engine
3. nautical a bar fixed across the top of the rudder post to which the tiller is attached
4. a block, rod, or beam fixed at the head of any part of a mechanism

Word History and Origins

Origin of crosshead¹

First recorded in 1835–45; cross- + head

Example Sentences

As the crosshead says, if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product.

From Forbes

Using insider secrets such as signposts, building blocks, crossheads and sequential writing will raise the bar of your blog articles overnight.

From Inc

Tires are bored, centres turned, axles finished, and crossheads, guides, guide-bearers, pistons, connecting- and parallel-rods planed, slotted, or finished, by the same method.

From Project Gutenberg

This large upward force is required for stripping the tubes off the mandrels, in addition to raising the main ram crosshead, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

In its motor and only cylinder, which is horizontal and open-ended, works a long trunk piston, the front end of which carries the crosshead pin.

From Project Gutenberg