The Collaborative Dictionary

Whippletree \Whip"ple*tree`\, n. [See Whip, and cf. Whiffletree.] [1913 Webster]

The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces, or tugs, of a harness are fastened, and by which a carriage, a plow, or other implement or vehicle, is drawn; a whiffletree; a swingletree; a singletree. See Singletree. [1913 Webster] [People] cut their own whippletree in the woodlot. --Emerson. [1913 Webster]

(Bot.) The cornel tree. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Word Net

whippletree n : a crossbar that is attached to the traces of a draft horse and to the vehicle or implement that the horse is pulling [syn: whiffletree, swingletree]

English

Noun

1. a wooden crossbar for a plough or carriage, pivoted in the middle, from which traces are fastened to a draught animal

Synonyms

• swingletree
• whiffletree

Whippletree may refer to:

• A whippletree is a device used to connect draught animals to a load so as to balance the pull.
• Dogwood, a type of shrub.