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sprag

1

[ sprag ]

noun

  1. a pole or bar hinged to the rear axle of a cart or the like in such a way that it can brace the vehicle against a road to prevent it from rolling downhill.
  2. Mining. a short timber for propping up loose walls or spacing two sets.


verb (used with object)

, spragged, sprag·ging.
  1. to prop, support, or immobilize (a vehicle) by means of a sprag.

verb (used without object)

, spragged, sprag·ging.
  1. to slow a vehicle by means of a sprag or, sometimes, by bracing the feet against the ground.

sprag

2

[ sprag ]

noun

  1. a young cod.

sprag

/ spræɡ /

noun

  1. a chock or steel bar used to prevent a vehicle from running backwards on an incline
  2. a support or post used in mining
  3. mining a steel bar inserted into the wheels of a box to act as a brake
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of sprag1

1835–45; special use of dial. sprag twig ( Old English spræcg shoot, slip); akin to sprig

Origin of sprag2

First recorded in 1700–10; special use of dialectal sprag “twig, lively young man”; sprag 1 and for meaning, sprig
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sprag1

C19: of uncertain origin
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Example Sentences

Sprag, sprag, n. a piece of wood used to lock a wheel: a punch-prop in mining.

Conclusion; with a testimonial of commodore Sprag in behalf of the assembly.

For all that, it's a sheer impossibility that you should guess who put a sprag in the wheel of Hilton's chariot.

Next instant (to make quite sure) I jumped out, ran to the front, and lowered the sprag.

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spraddle-leggedSprague