cotter — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A pin or wedge inserted through a slot to hold machine parts together.

   Examples

   The chains are secured to each end of the cast-iron arches by cotters.

2. A cotter pin.

   Usage

   • Informal

Verb

1. To fasten with a cotter.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   She found Esco by the barn. He was trying to cotter a cart-wheel with a peg he had whittled from a locust branch, driving it in with a hand sledge

Noun

1. A peasant who performed labour in exchange for the right to live in a cottage.

   Usage

   • Historical

   Synonyms

   coscetcottager

   Examples

   The toil-worn Cotter frae his labour goes,— / This night his weekly moil is at an end,— / Collects his spades, his mattocks, and his hoes, […]

Noun

1. a peasant farmer in the Scottish Highlands

   Synonyms

   cottar

   Broader terms

   peasantprovincialbucolic

2. a medieval English villein

   Synonyms

   cottier

   Broader terms

   serfhelotvillein

3. fastener consisting of a wedge or pin inserted through a slot to hold two other pieces together

   Synonyms

   cottar

   Broader terms

   fastenerfasteningholdfastfixing