declutch, v.
(diːˈklʌtʃ)
[f. de- II. 1 + clutch n.1 6 a.]
intr. To disengage the clutch of a motor vehicle; so double-declutch v. intr., to release and re-engage the clutch twice when changing gear. Hence deˈclutching vbl. n.
| 1905 Daily Chron. 21 Mar. 7/4 Without once using a brake, changing his gear, declutching or slipping the clutch. 1906 Westm. Gaz. 16 July 5/1 The driver of the 'bus declutched at the top of the hill. 1925 Morris Owner's Man. 10 The expert driver will have recourse to double declutching. 1934 Neuphilologische Mitteilungen XXXV. 130 To double-declutch, to let the clutch in twice (instead of the more usual once) when changing gear. 1937 Autocar Handbk. (ed. 13) vi. 108 Syncromesh..rendered double declutching a refinement but no longer a necessity. 1963 Which? (Car Suppl.) Jan. 30 To make proper downward gear changes you had to double-declutch. 1966 ‘D. Rutherford’ Black Leather Murders i. 7 He double-declutched and rammed the gear-lever into bottom. |