push-offn.adj.
/ˈpʊʃˌɒf/, U.S. /ˈpʊʃˌɑf/, /ˈpʊʃˌɔf/ A. n.
1. An act or the action of pushing off (in various senses); spec. the act of pushing downwards with the foot or hands to provide the impetus for a jump or somersault.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > [noun] > entering upon a course of action > assistance given for starting or entering > drive or force which starts a course of action
push-off1902
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > [noun] > act of taking off
taking off1881
take-off1889
push-off1928
1902 Daily Chron. 8 May 5/2 He was the right person to give a push-off to this newest venture of the Christian Social Union.
1928 Metrop. Mus. Art Bull. 23 68/1 A somersault in the air, carried through by mere impetus without the aid of a push-off by the hands.
1949 G. Shurr & R. D. Yocom Mod. Dance v. 165 In the leap, the push-off from back foot onto the forward foot, gives impetus to the leap.
1960 E. S. Higham & W. J. Higham High Speed Rugby iii. 38 The take-off is from the right foot and consists of a vigorous push-off, so that the left foot can take a fairly generous step diagonally to the left.
1991 Discover Mar. 40/1 The push-off typically takes .2 second, during which the jumper must exert a force substantially in excess of his own weight.
2. Agriculture. A powered frame or bar that pushes material off something, esp. the tines of a buck-rake.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > [noun] > rake > implement for pushing material off rake
push-off1946
1946 Council Bluffs (Iowa) Nonpareil 15 June (advt.) 7/4 Attachments for energy hydraulic manure loaders now on hand. These have the hydraulic type push off.
1962 Greeley (Colorado) Daily Tribune 17 Dec. 30/7 Farm hand loader with hay basket, push off, and grapple fork.
1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 5 July 9- c/4 (advt.) Used F10 D loader with hay basket, steel teeth, push-off, manure fork & grapple fork.
2003 Farmers Weekly (Nexis) 8 Aug. 8 This buck rake will still fit on the back of a tractor as normal, but now also has brackets to fit the loader, and the push off..as well.
B. adj.
That pushes something off; (Agriculture) designating a mechanical device for pushing material from the tines of a buck-rake (see also sense A. 2).
ΚΠ
1948 Council Bluffs (Iowa) Nonpareil 23 May (advt.) 26/5 Tractor sweep rakes, dump rakes, push-off hay stackers, [etc.].
1957 C. Culpin Farm Machinery (ed. 5) x. 277 A hydraulically operated push-off device can be used in conjunction with a front-mounted buckrake, and this outfit is more suitable than the simpler tipping type for loading most types of vehicles.
1970 Financial Times 13 Apr. 8/6 The push-off assembly is moved forward by two hydraulic rams.
1995 Farmers Weekly 31 Mar. 123/3 (advt.) Grays 16 tine push off buck rake, 10ft 6″ wide, 2 seasons, suit contractor with self propelled forager.
1998 N.Y. Times 3 Mar. c26/2 It's my push-off ankle, so I want to be careful and not favor it.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.1902