Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Any mechanical arrangement by which engines or other forms of machinery are started from rest: usually operated by hand in small units, but by power in larger ones.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • And when they had equipped themselves they climbed up, and the Frenchman explained the compressed-air starting-gear and the various methods of control to Dennis.

    With Haig on the Somme D. H. Parry 1915

  • The cranks were connected with the starting-gear of the motor.

    Stories of Inventors The Adventures of Inventors and Engineers Russell Doubleday 1910

  • He moved, climbing high up, disappearing low down, with a restless, purposeful industry, and when he stood still, holding the guard-rail in front of the starting-gear, he would keep glancing to the right at the steam-gauge, at the water-gauge, fixed upon the white wall in the light of a swaying lamp.

    Typhoon, and other stories 1902

  • As soon as the last bolt was in place, men tumbled over one another in their anxiety to get to the hand starting-gear, the wheel and worm, by which some engines can be moved when there is no steam aboard.

    The Day's Work - Volume 1 Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • He moved, climbing high up, disappearing low down, with a restless, purposeful industry, and when he stood still, holding the guard-rail in front of the starting-gear, he would keep glancing to the right at the steam-gauge, at the water-gauge, fixed upon the white wall in the light of a swaying lamp.

    Typhoon Joseph Conrad 1890

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