swingletree

[ swing-guhl-tree ]

noun

, Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a whiffletree.

swingletree

/ ˈswɪŋɡəlˌtriː /

noun

1. a crossbar in a horse's harness to which the ends of the traces are attached Also calledwhippletreeesp USwhiffletree

Word History and Origins

Origin of swingletree¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; swingle ¹, tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of swingletree¹

C15: from swingle + tree (in the sense: a post or bar)

Example Sentences

The cow is attached to each shaft and a small single-tree, or swingletree, by means of a broad strap harness.

From Project Gutenberg

The swingletree gear next to it probably was left there during the construction.

From Project Gutenberg

The judge looked and looked, and then sot up a laugh; and Ike Swingletree began to turn a little pale.

From Project Gutenberg