English

Adjective

sprag ‎(comparative more sprag, superlative most sprag)

1. Alternative form of sprack
   • Shakespeare

     A good sprag memory.

Etymology 2

See spray ‎(“a branch”).

Noun

sprag ‎(plural sprags)

1. A billet of wood; a piece of timber, a similar solid object or constructed unit used as a prop.
   • 1956, United States Department of the Army, United States Department of the Air Force, Principles of Automotive Vehicles, Technical Manual 9-8000, page 325,

     A sprag (fig. 349) is a steel block so shaped as to act as a wedge in the complete assembly. In the sprag unit under discussion, there are 42 sprags assembled into an outer race and held in place by two energizing springs (fig. 350).

   • 1981, (US) Departments of the Army and Air Force, Maintenance: Direct Support, and General Support Level, Technical Manual 9-2520-246-34-1, page 2-201,

     When checking sprags, anvil and spindle ends of micrometer and flat back of sprag must all rest on a flat surface as shown in view A.

     Since wear on all sprags in any one sprag unit will be the same, it is only necessary to check 5 sprags in each assembly.

   • 2008, Cliff Ruggles, GM Automatic Overdrive Transmission Builder's and Swapper's Guide, page 52,

     The sprag should still be taken apart for visual inspection of the components. I have seen sprags that still functioned correctly, but when taken apart, the spring cage that holds the sprag elements was completely destroyed.

   • 2009, Jack Erjavec, Automotive Technology: A Systems Approach, Cengage Learning, page 1192,

     A one-way sprag clutch (figure 40-36) consists of a hub and a drum separated by figure-eight-shaped metal pieces called sprags. The sprags are shaped this way so they can lock between the races when a race is turned in one direction only.

Derived terms

• sprag clutch

Verb

sprag ‎(third-person singular simple present sprags, present participle spragging, simple past and past participle spragged)

1. (transitive) To check the motion of, as a carriage on a steep slope, by putting a sprag between the spokes of the wheel.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of R. S. Poole to this entry?)

2. (transitive) To prop or sustain with a sprag.

Etymology 3

Compare Icelandic spraka? a small flounder.

Noun

sprag ‎(plural sprags)

1. A young salmon.