Definition

1. Adjective:
   • (of a lathe) equipped with gearing for reducing the speed of the spindle from that of the driving pulley: Describes a lathe that has a specific gear system, called back gears, which allows the machine's spindle to rotate at a slower speed than the pulley that drives it. This provides greater torque and control for machining harder materials or performing heavy cuts.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The workshop purchased a back-geared lathe for more precise metalworking.
  • A back-geared machine is essential for turning large-diameter steel rods.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: The term is highly specific to mechanical engineering and machining. It is used to specify a key feature of a lathe's capability. The back gears are typically engaged or disengaged via a lever.
  • For this deep cut, you need to engage the back-geared function to prevent stalling.

Variants and Related Words

• Back gear (noun): The actual gear assembly that provides the speed reduction.
  • The lathe's back gear was damaged and needed replacement.
• Geared head lathe (noun): A more modern type of lathe that uses a gearbox for speed changes, often encompassing the function of a back-geared lathe.

Synonyms

• Reduction-geared (in a similar mechanical context).
• Slow-speed capable (descriptive synonym).

Notes on Meaning

This term has a single, highly technical meaning related to machinery. It is not used in general language or figurative contexts. The hyphenated form "back-geared" is the standard adjectival form derived from the noun "back gear."

Adjective

1. (of a lathe) equipped with gearing for reducing the speed of the spindle from that of the driving pulley
   • a back-geared lathe