whiffletree

[ hwif-uhl-tree, wif- ]

noun

, Northern U.S.

1. a crossbar, pivoted at the middle, to which the traces of a harness are fastened for pulling a cart, carriage, plow, etc.

whiffletree

/ ˈwɪfəlˌtriː /

noun

1. See swingletree
   another name (esp US) for swingletree

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiffletree¹

First recorded in 1820–30; variant of whippletree

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiffletree¹

C19: variant of whippletree

Example Sentences

The whiffletree would swing round and hit them, and when their collars were taken off, their necks would be raw and bloody.

From Project Gutenberg

This wore away at last and on the third day I had no difficulty in keeping up my end of the whiffletree.

From Project Gutenberg

Twelve “Swingle trees” (whippletree, whiffletree, singletree) are listed in the inventory.

From Project Gutenberg

Page 169, illustration caption: "probaby" changed to "probably" (b, chain, probably from whiffletree).

From Project Gutenberg

The only way they feel comfortable is when harnessed with the face toward the whiffletree and their back to the end of the shafts.

From Project Gutenberg