Word
sylvester
Phoneticssylvester
/sɪɫˈvɛstɝ/
Definition
n. a special tool used in mining to pull out heavy wooden supports from the ground. It uses a long handle and a chain to create a lot of force.
n. a mechanical device consisting of a long lever and a chain, used in underground mining to extract pit props or roof supports. Primarily used in historical or traditional mining contexts.
Examples
“The miner used a sylvester to pull the old timber from the wall.”
“Before modern hydraulic systems were common, miners relied on the sylvester to safely remove wooden supports from worked-out areas.”
“The mechanical advantage provided by the sylvester allowed a single worker to exert enough force to dislodge heavy props that had been compressed by the weight of the overlying rock.”
Examples
simple
“The miner used a sylvester to pull the old timber from the wall.”
contextual
“Before modern hydraulic systems were common, miners relied on the sylvester to safely remove wooden supports from worked-out areas.”
complex
“The mechanical advantage provided by the sylvester allowed a single worker to exert enough force to dislodge heavy props that had been compressed by the weight of the overlying rock.”
Usage
Commonly used in British mining terminology; often referred to as a 'prop-drawer'.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/sylvester