hand brake
- a brake operated by a hand lever.Compare caliper(def 6).
- (in an automobile) an emergency or parking brake operated by a hand lever.
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Origin of hand brake
First recorded in 1840–50
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hand brake
Historical Examples
They were so packed in that he could scarcely reach gear lever and hand-brake.
Free AirSinclair Lewis
Luckily I was sitting on the brake side, and reaching out of the tonneau, I seized the lever of the hand-brake and jammed it on.
The Lightning ConductorC. N. Williamson
Dave leaned forward, to jam on the hand-brake, but his uncle was ahead of him in the action.
Dave Porter and the RunawaysEdward Stratemeyer
The carriage was an open one with two double seats, and in front a single one for a messenger; it had also a hand-brake attached.
The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, CompleteGeneral Philip Henry Sheridan
Again I hung out, and gently but firmly put on the hand-brake, steadying the car.
The Lightning ConductorC. N. Williamson