swingletree

[ swing-guhl-tree ]

noun

, Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a whiffletree.

swingletree

/ ˈswɪŋɡəlˌtriː /

noun

1. a crossbar in a horse's harness to which the ends of the traces are attached Also calledwhippletreeesp USwhiffletree

Word History and Origins

Origin of swingletree¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; swingle ¹, tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of swingletree¹

C15: from swingle + tree (in the sense: a post or bar)

Example Sentences

The mare crashed into the rockaway on one side and the bay shattered the swingletree on the other with the forewheel of our buggy.

From Project Gutenberg

I sat in the buggy, holding the reins over the trembling, wild-eyed bay, while William descended and, with great dignity, tied up the disabled swingletree.

From Project Gutenberg