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Glite Dictionary
blind axle

blind axle

7.2
A bar under a vehicle that turns to support wheels but does not drive them
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : eje ciego
  • The trailer is supported by a blind axle that carries weight but does not drive the wheels.

Examples

  • Unlike the drive axle, a blind axle only serves to support the vehicle's structure.

  • The mechanic replaced the blind axle in the car.

  • In some designs, a blind axle is used to improve load distribution without adding complexity to the drivetrain.

  • The blind axle is crucial.

  • In some designs, a blind axle is used to improve load distribution without adding complexity to the drivetrain.

  • The trailer is supported by a blind axle that carries weight but does not drive the wheels.

  • Unlike the drive axle, a blind axle only serves to support the vehicle's structure.

Synonyms

dead axle
vsblind axle
  • Specialized
7.7

An axle that supports a wheel but does not give power to it

rotates without transmitting motion to other components

Antonyms

driving axle
  • Specialized
5.7

A part that takes engine power and turns the wheels

Surface Forms

blind axle singular
blind axles plural

Morphology

blind + axle

The adjective 'blind' can suggest 'covered, closed, or not functioning/connected', so a learner who knows 'blind' and 'axle' could plausibly infer an axle that is inactive or not transmitting motion. However, the precise technical sense — an axle that rotates but does not transmit motion to other components — is specialised and not fully predictable from everyday uses of 'blind', so prior exposure or technical knowledge is likely required.

Etymology

The noun blind axle comes from the idea that blind means 'not connected'. Imagine an axle that turns but has no link to the engine and cannot 'pass on movement', so the term means an axle that turns without driving other parts.