brake-harrow
Definition
Noun: - A type of agricultural implement: A "brake-harrow" is a heavy-duty harrow used in farming to break up clods of soil, level the ground, or prepare seedbeds. It typically consists of a frame with spikes or teeth that are dragged over the soil to break it apart.
Usage Examples
- (The implement was pulled across the field to crush soil lumps.)
- (It levels and loosens the topsoil for sowing.)
Advanced Usage
- Historical context: In older agricultural texts, a "brake-harrow" might be referred to simply as a "brake" and was often used in conjunction with a plough to refine the soil structure.
- The brake-harrow was drawn by horses across the field to finish the tillage. (It was the final step in soil preparation before seeding.)
Variants and Related Words
- Brake (n): In agricultural contexts, "brake" can be a shortened form of "brake-harrow," referring to the same implement.
- He attached the brake to the tractor. (He used the heavy harrow.)
- Harrow (n): A broader category of agricultural implements used for soil cultivation, which includes brake-harrows, disc harrows, and chain harrows.
- The harrow is used after ploughing to smooth the soil.
Synonyms
- Heavy harrow: A type of harrow designed for breaking large soil clods.
- Clod crusher: A similar implement used to pulverize soil lumps.
Related Idioms
- There are no common idioms involving "brake-harrow," as it is a specialized agricultural term.
Additional Notes
- The term "brake-harrow" is less common in modern farming, where disc harrows or rotary tillers are often used. However, it remains in historical and technical agricultural vocabulary.