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, spragging 

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

verb (used without object)

spragged, spragging 

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprag¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

If one of the two engines fails, the sprag clutch is also a safety feature: It will transfer power from the working side to the failing engine’s side to keep both rotors going.

From Seattle Times

Sprag, sprag, n. a piece of wood used to lock a wheel: a punch-prop in mining.—v.t. to prop, or to stop, by a sprag.

From Project Gutenberg

Every few feet, short props or sprags are put in from the edge of the undermined portion to the floor, to prevent a premature fall, which might bury the miner.

From Project Gutenberg

But the epitaphs were trim, and sprag, and potent, and pleased the survivors of Thames-Ditton above the old Mumpsimus of 'Afflictions Sore'....

From Project Gutenberg

Just run back to the stack and bring us one of them small sprags.

From Project Gutenberg