handlebarn.
/ˈhandlbɑː/, U.S. /ˈhændlˌbɑr/ 1. Any of various bars, typically of wood or metal, used as handles.
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the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > (a) handhold
stayc1515
holdfast1566
hand rest1819
handlebar1844
handhold1845
grasp-hold1851
grab bar1959
1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 78 Handle-bars..bolted to the posts [of a wheel-barrow], and projecting a convenient length beyond them.
1899 W. B. Snow Mech. Draft (ed. 2) xiii. 276 [The ash-pit damper] consists of a frame thoroughly imbedded in the brickwork, a door hinged thereto and a handle bar for operating it.
1942 Pop. Sci. Mar. 60 From the handlebar, with which the ranger pulls the sled, a cable runs to the brake.
2005 N.Y. Mag. 20 June 34/1 He says we need to put a handlebar in the [bathroom] stall for handicapped people.
2. spec. A transverse bar (often curved at the ends) connected to the front wheel of a bicycle, motorcycle, etc., having a handgrip at either end and (typically) fixtures for the brake levers, used to steer the vehicle. Also: one side of this bar; (usually in plural) this bar considered as a whole.drop-, dropped handlebars: see the first element.
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society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicle propelled by feet > [noun] > cycle > parts and equipment of cycles > handle-bars
handlebar1878
bar1908
aero bar1988
1878 Bicycle Jrnl. 22 Feb. 89/2 The handle bar is fixed.
1898 Sci. Siftings 15 170/1 Handle-bars in which the drop is greater than four inches below the seat are..dangerous.
1917 ‘Contact’ Airman's Outings 9 Mirrors of polished steel, as used on the handlebars of motor-cycles, to give warning of roadcraft at the rear.
1954 J. Masters Bhowani Junction vii. 62 There was a lever on one handlebar to work the front brake.
1984 C. Blaise North Amer. Educ. ii. 211 The kids pulled themselves to school with frozen fingers gripping their handlebars.
2010 P. Murray Skippy Dies 361 The chain and wheels hum at his feet, the chocolates swing from their bag on the handlebars, as he turns down her road.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
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the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > styles of hair > [noun] > styles of moustache
rat-tail moustache1871
burnside1875
handlebar1888
Kaiser moustache1900
Kaiser Wilhelm moustache1901
toothbrush moustache1904
doormat1909
Kaiser Bill moustache1910
Old Bill moustache1915
cookie-duster1918
walrus moustache1918
Hitler1930
walrus whiskers1930
soup-strainer1932
pencil line1934
pencil moustache1961
Zapata1968
1888 Scribner's Mag. June 49/2 A front wheel handle bar steerer.
1896 Cyclealities 117 A small Hold-all for use with handle-bar carriers.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 15 Apr. 10/2 A contributor to the Motor Cycle advises motor-cyclists to carry handle-bar mirrors on their machines.
1937 Life 16 Aug. 92/2 (caption) He goes to 70 m.p.h. through pine boards... His only protections are a crash helmet and a handle-bar guard.
1968 Which? Aug. 232/1 If the brake levers are too far from the handlebar grips, a child with small hands might find it difficult to work them.
1988 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 18 June ix. 1 With the ceaseless demand for..handlebar tape, patch kits, pumps, grease and trail maps, equipment dealers are turning a very tidy dollar.
2005 Cycling Plus Apr. 94/1 The Spinachi user will have to rest their forearms on the handlebar tops.
C2.
handlebar moustache n. a wide, thick moustache with the ends curving slightly upwards.
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1926 San Antonio (Texas) Light 5 Oct. 17/3 John L.'s famous handle bar mustache..was ever a poem to the artistic eye of the barber.
1953 M. Dickens No More Meadows vii. 295 Chap with the handlebar moustache. Real Pilot-Officer Prune type.
2011 Daily Tel. 4 Mar. 33/1 A striking figure with a large handlebar moustache, Rathore was never seen without an olive-coloured safari hat and tiger-print silk cravat.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1844