sprag

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

sprag, n. [Cf. Icel. spraka a small flounder.].

 A young salmon.  [1913 Webster]

sprag, n. [See Spray a branch.].

 A billet of wood; a piece of timber used as a prop.  [1913 Webster]

sprag, v. t. 

•  To check the motion of, as a carriage on a steep grade, by putting a sprag between the spokes of the wheel.  R. S. Poole.  [1913 Webster]
•  To prop or sustain with a sprag.  [1913 Webster]

sprag, a. 

 See Sprack, a.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

sprag, n.
1 a thick piece of wood or similar device used as a brake.
2 a support-prop in a coal mine.

Etymology

19th c.: orig. unkn.

ROGET THESAURUS

sprag

Instrument

N instrument, machinery, mechanism, engineering, instrument, organ, tool, implement, utensil, machine, engine, lathe, gin, mill, air engine, caloric engine, heat engine, gear, tackle, tackling, rig, rigging, apparatus, appliances, plant, materiel, harness, trappings, fittings, accouterments, barde, equipment, equipmentage, appointments, furniture, upholstery, chattels, paraphernalia, mechanical powers, lever, leverage, mechanical advantage, crow, crowbar, handspike, gavelock, jemmy, jimmy, arm, limb, wing, oar, paddle, pulley, wheel and axle, wheelwork, clockwork, wheels within wheels, pinion, crank, winch, cam, pedal, capstan, wheel, inclined plane, wedge, screw, spring, mainspring, can hook, glut, heald, heddle, jenny, parbuckle, sprag, water wheel, handle, hilt, haft, shaft, heft, shank, blade, trigger, tiller, helm, treadle, key, turnscrew, screwdriver, knocker, hammer, edge tool, borer, vice, teeth, nail, rope, peg, support, spoon, arms, oar, cardiograph, recapper, snowplow, tenpenny, votograph, instrumental, mechanical, machinal, brachial.