side levern.
/ˈsʌɪd ˌliːvə/, U.S. /ˈsaɪd ˌlɛvər/, /ˈsaɪd ˌlivər/ 1. Engineering. Each of two heavy beams located on either side of the cylinder in some early steam engines, which are pivoted centrally to oscillate through a small arc and transmit reciprocating motion from the cross head of the pistons to the connecting rods or crankshaft. Frequently attributive. Now historical.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > machines which impart power > engine > steam engine > [noun] > parts of > levers
working beam1744
beam1759
lever1759
side lever1804
lever-beam1824
walking beam1824
sway-beam1839
grasshopper-beam?1865
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > machines which impart power > engine > steam engine > [adjective] > specific parts
cut-off1849
side lever1882
nozzle1895
Lentz1925
1804 Trans. Soc. Arts 22 338 The two side levers to be worked by two men, when more power is required.
1839 R. S. Robinson Naut. Steam Engine Explained 69 The sway beams or side levers, two of which are attached to each engine.
1882 R. Sennett & H. J. Oram Marine Steam Engine i. i. 3 The side-lever type of engine, though very heavy and occupying a large space for the power developed, was safe and reliable.
1901 Chambers's Jrnl. Sept. 598/1 We have had beam engines, side-lever engines, steeple-engines, and engines of a direct action.
1939 H. W. Dickinson Short Hist. Steam Engine vi. 108 This type was taken up by other makers under the name of the side-lever engine, and remained for about forty years the established type for marine-engine practice.
2011 A. Catsambis et al. Oxf. Handbk. Maritime Archaeol. 614 Vermont was fitted with a 20-horsepower engine, side-lever bell crank machinery.
2. In a firearm: a lever that is situated alongside the action (action n. 19d) and operated by the user, typically to allow the barrel to be opened for loading and locked to the action for firing; (also) a firearm with such a lever.
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society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > other specific parts
touch plate1508
maniglion1704
gun-lock screw1731
match pipe1740
quoin of mire1797
bricole1809
tumbler-screw1843
training wheel1875
hand1880
side lever1892
gun-lock spring1894
gun control1909
magazine well1948
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 17 The side-lever snap-action gun.
1910 C. Askins Amer. Shotgun iii. 36 Subsequently the bolt was placed under the standing breech and was withdrawn by a side lever.
1985 Christie's Sale Catal. Mod. & Vintage Firearms 20 Mar. 6 The one movement of depressing the sidelever withdraws the striker, opens the breech, cocks the hammer and ejects the spent case.
1999 Airgun World Nov. 4 (advt.) If you intend shooting from a confined space this powerful, smooth and above all, compact sidelever is a must.
3. gen. A lever situated at the side of something.
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1901 Engineering 11 Jan. 57/3 The mechanism can be easily applied to wagons fitted with the ordinary side-lever brake.
1934 Pop. Mech. Sept. 29 a Fills fountain pen without soiling pen or using side lever.
1960 Life 28 Nov. 79/1 General Electric Automatic Can Opener makes this everyday chore quick, clean, effortless. Push down the side lever and the can is locked in place.
2004 E. M. HARRIS Personal Impressions 31/1 There were several machines on the market which were combinations of the side lever and front lever principle.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.1804