cotter pin

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Word: Cotter Pin

Definition: A cotter pin is a type of fastener made from wire. It has a split (or two prongs) and is used to secure two or more parts together by passing it through a hole and then bending the ends apart to hold it in place.

Usage Instructions:

• How to Use: To use a cotter pin, you first insert it through a hole in the parts you want to secure. After it is through the hole, you bend the ends of the pin apart so that it cannot be pulled out easily.

Example:

• "To ensure the wheel stays attached to the axle, the mechanic inserted a cotter pin through the hole and bent the ends."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex machinery or construction, cotter pins are often used in conjunction with other types of fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, to provide additional security and stability.

Word Variants:

• Cotter: Refers to a fastener in a general sense, which can be a pin, bolt, or other devices used to secure parts together.

Different Meaning:

In some contexts, "cotter" can refer to a person who maintains or works with certain types of equipment, but this is less common than the mechanical usage.

Synonyms:

• Split pin
• Safety pin (though this refers more commonly to a different type of pin used in sewing)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no widely recognized idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using "cotter pin." However, in mechanical contexts, you might hear phrases like "hold it together" or "secure it in place," which convey a similar meaning.

Summary:

A cotter pin is an essential tool in mechanics and construction, used to secure parts together to ensure they do not come apart.

Academic

Noun

1. a cotter consisting of a split pin that is secured (after passing through a hole) by splitting the ends apart