axletree

[ ak-suh l-tree ]

/ ˈæk səlˌtri /

a bar, fixed crosswise under an animal-drawn vehicle, with a rounded spindle at each end upon which a wheel rotates.

Origin of axletree

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at axle, tree

In crossing a small ravine, an axletree of one of the wagons was broken.

Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XXX |Joel Palmer
The limber will then be lashed close to the waggon wheel in the centre of the limber, in line with the axletree of the waggon.

Shifts and Expedients of Camp Life, Travel & Exploration |W. B. Lord
Tom, however, at length cut the giant such a blow with the axletree on the side of his head, that he nearly reeled over.

Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12) |Various
Now it was only half over the wheels, now it hid the axletree, and now the coach sank down in it almost to the windows.

Historic Highways of America (Vol. 12) |Archer Butler Hulbert

Yen translated rapidly, scurrying along behind his sentences like a carriage dog beneath an axletree.

Mortmain |Arthur Cheny Train

axletree

/ (ˈæksəlˌtriː) /

a bar fixed across the underpart of a wagon or carriage that has rounded ends on which the wheels revolve