jack-horse

jack-horse

A carpenter uses a jack-horse to support a long wooden plank.

Definition

Noun: - A type of sawing apparatus: a "jack-horse" is a simple wooden frame or trestle used to support a log or plank while it is being sawn by hand. It typically consists of two crossed legs or a sawbuck structure.

Usage Examples
  • (A wooden support for sawing logs.)
  • (The frame used to hold the wood steady.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to work on a jack-horse": to use this specific tool for manual sawing.
    • Before the invention of power saws, every woodsman relied on a sturdy jack-horse. (A traditional, essential tool for hand-sawing.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Jackhorse (n): an alternative spelling, though less common.
  • Sawbuck (n): a similar frame or trestle for holding wood, often used interchangeably with "jack-horse."
  • Sawhorse (n): a more general term for a stand used to support wood for sawing.
Synonyms
  • Sawbuck: a frame for holding wood while sawing.
  • Trestle: a supporting frame, often used in sawing or construction.
  • Sawhorse: a stand for supporting wood during cutting.
Related Idioms
  • There are no common idioms using "jack-horse." The term is highly specific to woodworking and manual labor contexts.