axletree

noun

ax·​le·​tree ˈak-səl-(ˌ)trē How to pronounce axletree (audio)

Word History

Etymology

Middle English axeltre, axiltre, borrowed from an Old Norse predecessor of Old Icelandic ǫxultré, from ǫxull "axle" (going back to Germanic *ahs-, base of *ahsō- "axle" + -ul-, perhaps a suffix of appurtenance) + tré "tree, mast, rafter, beam" — more at axis, tree entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of axletree was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near axletree

Cite this Entry

“Axletree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axletree. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!