release gear

A pilot pulls the release gear to drop a practice bomb.

Definition

1. Noun (countable):
   • A mechanical device for releasing: "release gear" refers to a mechanism, often in aircraft, used to detach or drop something, such as a bomb or a load, from its mounting. It is a specific type of equipment that controls the act of releasing.

Usage Examples

• (The pilot used the mechanism to detach the cargo.)
• (The device for dropping bombs failed to work properly.)
• (Technicians examined the mechanical releasing system.)

Advanced Usage

• "To deploy release gear": to set in motion or use the releasing mechanism.

  • The crew must deploy the release gear only after reaching the target zone. (The releasing device should be used only at the designated area.)

• "Release gear assembly": the complete set of components that make up the releasing mechanism.

  • The release gear assembly was replaced with a newer model. (The entire system of parts for releasing was swapped out.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gear (n): a general term for mechanical equipment or apparatus.

  • The landing gear is essential for safe takeoff and landing. (The mechanical system for wheels is crucial.)

• Release (v): to set free or let go of something.

  • She had to release the rope to free the boat. (She let go of the rope.)

Synonyms

• Ejector mechanism: a device that forcefully expels something.
• Drop mechanism: a system designed to let something fall.
• Release mechanism: any device that controls the act of releasing.

Related Idioms

• "To hit the release": to activate the release gear, often used informally in aviation contexts.
  • The bombardier hit the release at the precise moment. (The crew member activated the releasing device at the exact time.)

Note: "release gear" is a specialized term primarily used in military or engineering contexts. It is not a common everyday word.