thill

[thil]

noun

1. either of the pair of shafts of a vehicle between which a draft animal is harnessed.

thill

/ θɪl /

noun

1. archaic,  another word for shaft

Word History and Origins

Origin of thill¹

1275–1325; Middle English thille shaft < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of thill¹

C14: perhaps related to Old English thille board, planking, Old High German dilla plank, Old Norse thili

Example Sentences

Now no dray moves more readily to the thill than I do to the painter's chair.

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He was talking as much to himself as to the poor fellow who clung to the thill.

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Three horses were harnessed abreast, the middle one standing between the thills, which were hung with bells.

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The yell and the crack electrified the rawboned old nag into making a wild leap as if trying to jump out of the thills.

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From the ends of the thills springs a wooden arch, called the duga, rising eighteen inches above the horse's shoulder, and usually emblazoned with gilding and brilliant colors.

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Related Words

• beam 
• chimney 
• cylinder 
• duct 
• rod 
• tunnel