Also 4 lyns-, 7–9 lince, lins(e, 9 (doubtfully genuine) link-. See also LINPIN. [f. LINCH sb.1 + PIN.] A pin passed through the end of an axle-tree to keep the wheel in its place.
1376–7. Compotus Roll Hyde Manor (MS. Deeds Westmr. Abbey), In ij camellis ferri vocatis lynspins emptis pro carectis iiijd.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., xiv. 65. The pins at the ends of the Axeltree is called Linch pins.
1682. Providence Rec. (1894), VI. 93. Jn ye Parlor 3 Cart boxes, i lince pinn & a washer 00–01–00.
1696. Phillips, Lins-pin. See Linch-pin.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), II. 5. One of the linch-pins that kept the wheel on the axletree.
1780. Cowper, Progr. Err., 441. If the rogue … Left out his linchpin, or forgot his tar.
1847. Halliwell, Link-pins. Linch-pins are called also link-pins and lin-pins in the provinces.
1857. Hughes, Tom Brown, I. vi. (ed. 3), 137. There was the good old custom of taking the linchpins out of the farmers’ and bagmen’s gigs at the fairs.
1860. Emerson, Cond. Life Consid., Wks. (Bohn), II. 418. But who dares draw out the linchpin from the wagon-wheel.
Hence Linch-pinned a., having linch-pins.
1893. H. J. Moule, Old Dorset, 109. Rough little cars, with wheels loosely linch-pinned.
