check-string
Definition
Noun: A "check-string" is a cord or strap used to signal or operate a braking mechanism, particularly on a railway carriage or wagon. It is a device that, when pulled, alerts the driver or activates the brakes.
Usage Examples
- (The cord was used to communicate a braking command.)
- (The physical strap or cord on the vehicle was worn out.)
Advanced Usage
- "to pull the check-string": to activate the emergency brake or signal system.
- In an emergency, any passenger could pull the check-string to halt the train. (The cord was a safety mechanism for immediate stopping.)
Variants and Related Words
- Check (n): a mechanism for stopping or restraining movement.
- The brake check prevented the wagon from rolling downhill. (The stopping device worked as intended.)
- String (n): a thin piece of cord or twine.
- The string used for the check-string was made of durable hemp. (The material of the cord.)
Synonyms
- Brake cord: a cord used to apply brakes.
- Signal cord: a cord used to send a warning or command.
Related Idioms
Phrasal Verbs