cotter

¹ American  

[kot-er] / ˈkɒt ər /

noun

1. a pin, wedge, key, or the like, fitted or driven into an opening to secure something or hold parts together.

2. cotter pin.

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verb (used with object)

1. to secure with a cotter.

cotter ² American  

[kot-er] / ˈkɒt ər /

noun

1. Scot. a person occupying a plot of land and cottage, paid for in services.

2. cottager.

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cotter ¹ British  

/ ˈkɒtə /

noun

1. any part, such as a pin, wedge, key, etc, that is used to secure two other parts so that relative motion between them is prevented

2. short for cotter pin

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verb

1. (tr) to secure (two parts) with a cotter

cotter ² British  

/ ˈkɒtə /

noun

1. Also called: cottier.  English history a villein in late Anglo-Saxon and early Norman times occupying a cottage and land in return for labour

2. Also called: cottar.  a peasant occupying a cottage and land in the Scottish Highlands under the same tenure as an Irish cottier

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Etymology

Origin of cotter¹

1300–50; Middle English coter; akin to late Middle English coterell iron bracket; of uncertain origin

Origin of cotter²

1175–1225; Middle English cotere < Anglo-French cot ( i ) er; see cot ², -er ²

Example Sentences

Release the cotter pin from the spindle nut, then remove the nut and washer, and the entire hub should slip off the axle.

From Time Magazine Archive

As the U.S. cotter pin in the United Nations, Lodge was given Cabinet status and a large voice in U.S. policy�and grew in stature to measure up to both.

From Time Magazine Archive

At Tsurumi, outside Yokohama, another cotter pin evidently sheared off the wheel housing of a southbound freight car.

From Time Magazine Archive

As far as anyone could determine, both tragedies resulted from faulty cotter pins, only an inch or two long.

From Time Magazine Archive

To prevent the cotter opening out the strap, and to increase the sliding surface, a gib H is introduced.

From An Introduction to Machine Drawing and Design by Low, David Allan

Related Words

• chunk