A lathe is a machine which is used for shaping wood or metal.
lathe in British English1
(leɪð)
noun
1.
a machine for shaping, boring, facing, or cutting a screw thread in metal, wood, etc, in which the workpiece is turned about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool
verb
2. (transitive)
to shape, bore, or cut a screw thread in or on (a workpiece) on a lathe
Word origin
perhaps C15 lath a support, of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Danish lad lathe, Old English hlæd heap
lathe in British English2
(leɪð)
noun
British history
any of the former administrative divisions of Kent
Word origin
Old English læth district
lathe in American English
(leɪð)
noun
1.
a machine for shaping an article of wood, metal, etc. by holding and turning it rapidly against the edge of a cutting or abrading tool
verb transitiveWord forms: lathed or ˈlathing
2.
to shape on a lathe
Word origin
ME lath, turning lathe, supporting stand, prob. < MDu lade in the same senses (> Dan dreielad, turning lathe): for IE base see lade
lathe in Mechanical Engineering
(leɪð)
Word forms: (regular plural) lathes
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Manufacturing and assembly)
A lathe is a machine tool in which the workpiece is rotated relative to a cutting tool.
The lathe makes parts by spinning the part and using a cutting tool to take material off it.
Examples of parts that can be produced on a lathe are crankshafts, camshafts, and bearing mounts.
A lathe is a machine tool in which the workpiece is rotated relative to a cutting tool.
Lathe parts may includecarriagecenterchuckfaceplatespindle
Examples of 'lathe' in a sentence
lathe
Standing before a capstan lathe had made existence tolerable by providing the ambition to excel at what he was doing.
Sillitoe, Alan THE OPEN DOOR (2003)
Aye, W. H. Scaife, them's my works, fresh off the lathe, I'm the poet sirrah.
Dexter Petley WHITE LIES (2003)
Worked at the bobbin mill down to the pond, tended a pup lathe till she up and took religion.
Metz, Don KING OF THE MOUNTAIN (2003)
In other languages
lathe
British English: lathe NOUN
A lathe is a machine which is used for shaping wood or metal.