Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

triphammer

American  
[trip-ham-er] / ˈtrɪpˌhæm ər /
Or trip hammer

noun

  1. Machinery. a heavy hammer raised and then let fall by means of some tripping device, as a cam.


adjective

  1. of, resembling, or characteristic of the repetitive and forceful pounding of a triphammer.

    He was subjected to triphammer interrogation by the police detectives.

triphammer British  
/ ˈtrɪpˌhæmə /

noun

  1. a power hammer that is raised or tilted by a cam and allowed to fall under gravity

"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

Etymology

Origin of triphammer

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; trip 1 + hammer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A dial turner in search of music these days is likely to encounter a shrill, nasal voice spewing at triphammer speed sentiments something like these: Oooh-eee-oooh-aah-aah Ting-tang Walla-walla bing-bang.

From Time Magazine Archive

His heart began to beat, feebly at first, then like a triphammer, then normally.

From Time Magazine Archive

Under triphammer questioning LoBuono began to amend his answers.

From Time Magazine Archive

By concentrating on such specific targets and keeping up a triphammer succession of attacks, the government hoped to force the Communist forces onto the defensive.

From Time Magazine Archive

She clung to the telephone, her heart beating like a triphammer there in the dark, waiting for his answer.

From I've Married Marjorie by Margaret Widdemer

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com