ˈturn-ˌbuckle
[f. turn v. + buckle n.]
1. A catch or fastening for window casements, shutters, etc., consisting of a thin flat bar pivoted so that it falls by its weight into a slit or groove.
| 1703 Turn-buckle [see turn-bout s.v. turn-]. 1717 Inventory of Goods (MS.), One Glass Window, One Casem{supt} with a Turnbuckle. 1859 F. A. Griffiths Artill. Man. (1862) 184 Turnbuckles, small..6. |
2. A coupling with internal screw threads for connecting metal rods lengthwise or for regulating their length or tension; transf. a device for coupling electric wires (Funk's Stand. Dict., 1895).
| 1877 Knight Dict. Mech., Turn-buckle,..(Nautical), a link used for setting up and tightening the iron rods employed as stays for the smoke-stack. 1895 Outing (U.S.) XXVI. 44 Deadeyes and lanyards are fast giving way before the advance of the turnbuckle. |