sprag

¹ American  

[sprag] / spræg /

noun

1. a pole or bar hinged to the rear axle of a cart or the like in such a way that it can brace the vehicle against a road to prevent it from rolling downhill.

2. Mining. a short timber for propping up loose walls or spacing two sets.

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verb (used with object)

spragged, spragging

1. to prop, support, or immobilize (a vehicle) by means of a sprag.

verb (used without object)

spragged, spragging

1. to slow a vehicle by means of a sprag or, sometimes, by bracing the feet against the ground.

sprag ² American  

[sprag] / spræg /

noun

1. a young cod.

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sprag British  

/ spræɡ /

noun

1. a chock or steel bar used to prevent a vehicle from running backwards on an incline

2. a support or post used in mining

3. mining a steel bar inserted into the wheels of a box to act as a brake

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Etymology

Origin of sprag¹

1835–45; special use of dial. sprag twig ( Old English spræcg shoot, slip); akin to sprig

Origin of sprag²

First recorded in 1700–10; special use of dialectal sprag “twig, lively young man”; see sprag ¹ and for meaning, cf. sprig

Example Sentences

A power spike can also destroy a sprag clutch, essentially severing the interconnected drive shaft.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023

On each tip, by the engines, a component called a sprag clutch transfers torque, or power, from one proprotor to the other to make sure both rotors are spinning at the same speed.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023

But sprag clutches have also become a worrying element.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023

If one of the two engines fails, the sprag clutch is also a safety feature: It will transfer power from the working side to the failing engine’s side to keep both rotors going.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2023

Sprag, sprag, n. a piece of wood used to lock a wheel: a punch-prop in mining.—v.t. to prop, or to stop, by a sprag.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various