lathe Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun machine tool for shaping metal or wood; the workpiece turns about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool

WordNet

Lathe noun
Etymology
AS.l&aemac;&edh;. Of. uncertain origin.
Definitions
  1. Formerly, a part or division of a county among the Anglo-Saxons. At present it consists of four or five hundreds, and is confined to the county of Kent. Written also lath. Brande & C.
Lathe noun
Etymology
OE. lathe a granary; akin to G. lade a chest, Icel. hla&edh;a a storehouse, barn; but cf. also Icel. lö&edh; a smith's lathe. Senses 2 and 3 are perh. of the same origin as lathe a granary, the original meaning being, a frame to hold something. If so, the word is from an older form of E. lade to load. See Lade to load.
Definitions
  1. A granary; a barn. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. (Mach.) A machine for turning, that is, for shaping articles of wood, metal, or other material, by causing them to revolve while acted upon by a cutting tool.
  3. The movable swing frame of a loom, carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft; -- called also lay and batten.

Webster 1913