differential gear
- noun
- /ˌdɪf.əˈrɛn.ʃəl ɡɪr/
- Specialized
:
diferencial
- The differential gear allows the wheels on a turning vehicle to rotate at different speeds.
Examples
-
Quincy: It works through a series of complexly designed differential gears.
Fiction book (1998) -
There were thirty gears, all enmeshed, even a differential gear.
Fiction book (1999) -
In modern cars, the differential gear prevents tire wear by accommodating varying wheel speeds.
-
The mechanic explained how the differential gear helps improve handling during sharp turns.
Synonyms
5
7.9
A device in a car that lets two wheels turn at different speeds when turning
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is directly compositional: it names a gear whose function is to provide a differential (allow different shaft speeds), so combining 'differential' (the differing-speeds function/assembly) with 'gear' (a toothed transmission element) yields the full meaning. Though technical, the sense is predictable from the parts and mirrors equivalent constructions in other languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
The differential gear is a set of small gears on an axle that lets the two wheels turn at 'different speeds'. Imagine a car going around a corner: the outside wheel must travel farther and so it spins faster, and the differential gear makes this possible, so the car turns smoothly and keeps control.