swinglebar
Definition
- Noun:
- A pivoted crossbar for harness: A "swinglebar" is a horizontal bar in a horse-drawn vehicle's harness that connects the traces (straps from the collar) to the vehicle or the plow, allowing the animal to pull efficiently. It is also known as a "swingletree."
Usage Examples
- (The bar used to connect the harness to the plow.)
- (The pivoting bar in the harness system.)
Advanced Usage
- "to swing on the swinglebar": an older, regional expression meaning to work hard or to be under strain, derived from the bar's function.
- The horses were swinging on the swinglebar all day, pulling the heavy load. (The animals were exerting themselves with the harness bar.)
Variants and Related Words
Swingletree (n): an alternative name for "swinglebar," especially in British English.
- The swingletree was broken, so the blacksmith had to forge a new one. (The same part of the harness.)
Swing (v): to move back and forth or pivot, as the swinglebar does.
- The bar must swing freely to allow the horse to turn. (The bar's pivoting action.)
Synonyms
- Swingletree: the most common synonym, used interchangeably.
- Whiffletree: a similar bar used in a team of animals, often for multiple horses.
- Doubletree: a bar used for a pair of animals, connecting two swinglebars.
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms directly use "swinglebar," but the term appears in historical farming contexts.)
Additional Notes
- The swinglebar is typically made of wood or metal and is attached to the vehicle via a central pivot, allowing the horse to turn without twisting the traces. It is a key component in traditional horse-drawn farming equipment.