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
- (transitive)
to shape, bore, or cut a screw thread in or on (a workpiece) on a lathe
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
lathe /leɪð/USA pronunciation
n., v., lathed, lath•ing.
n. [countable]
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025n. [countable]
- Building, Mechanical Engineeringa machine used in cutting or forming a piece of wood, metal, etc., by holding and rotating it against a tool that shapes it.
v. [~ + object]
- Building, Mechanical Engineeringto cut, shape, or treat on a lathe.
lathe
(lāᵺ),USA pronunciation n., v., lathed, lath•ing.
n.
v.t.
n.
- Building, Mechanical Engineeringa machine for use in working wood, metal, etc., that holds the material and rotates it about a horizontal axis against a tool that shapes it.
v.t.
- Building, Mechanical Engineeringto cut, shape, or otherwise treat on a lathe.
- 1300–50; Middle English: frame, stand, lathe; compare Old Norse hlath stack (see lade), Danish -lad in væverlad weaver's batten, savelad saw bench
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