Crutches

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Crutch \Crutch\ (kr[u^]ch; 224), n.; pl. {Crutches} (-[e^]z).
     [OE. crucche, AS. crycc, cricc; akin to D. kruk, G.
     kr["u]cke, Dan. krykke, Sw. krycka, and to E. crook. See
     {Crook}, and cf. {Cricket} a low stool.]
     1. A staff with a crosspiece at the head, to be placed under
        the arm or shoulder, to support the lame or infirm in


        walking.
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              I'll lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other.
                                                    --Shak.
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              Rhyme is a crutch that lifts the weak alone. --H.
                                                    Smith.
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     2. A form of pommel for a woman's saddle, consisting of a
        forked rest to hold the leg of the rider.
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     3. (Naut.)
        (a) A knee, or piece of knee timber.
        (b) A forked stanchion or post; a crotch. See {Crotch}.
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