slide rest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Technical)Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “slide rest” mean?
A device on a lathe that holds and moves the cutting tool smoothly along the workpiece.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device on a lathe that holds and moves the cutting tool smoothly along the workpiece.
More broadly, any supporting mechanism that allows controlled sliding motion, though primarily confined to machining and engineering contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; the term is standardized in technical manuals worldwide.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both dialects, with no additional cultural or contextual connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, limited to engineering and machining discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “slide rest” in a Sentence
[adjust/move/calibrate] the slide restslide rest of [the lathe]slide rest [supports/holds] the toolVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used except in manufacturing or engineering-related businesses discussing equipment.
Academic
Found in engineering textbooks, courses on machining, and technical papers.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual conversation; unfamiliar to non-specialists.
Technical
Common term in mechanical engineering, lathe operation, and precision machining.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “slide rest”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “slide rest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “slide rest”
- Using 'slide rest' as a verb (e.g., 'I slide rest the tool' — incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'sliderest' or 'slide-rest' without space in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a technical term used mainly in engineering and machining contexts, not in everyday conversation.
No, slide rest is strictly a noun; however, the words 'slide' and 'rest' can function as verbs separately.
The slide rest is the entire moving assembly on a lathe that holds the tool post, which is the specific clamp securing the cutting tool.
In American English, it is typically pronounced /ˈslaɪd ˌrɛst/, with primary stress on 'slide' and secondary stress on 'rest'.
A device on a lathe that holds and moves the cutting tool smoothly along the workpiece.
Slide rest is usually technical/formal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a slide that rests the tool: the slide rest lets the cutting tool slide smoothly and rest in position for accurate work.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTROLLED MOVEMENT IS SLIDING; STABILITY IS RESTING
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a slide rest?