alligator shear n.— «Mr. Graap and Agents Stern and Green moved into a brick building where a squat steel machine that was painted green and run by hydraulic power—known in the business as an alligator sheer for its resemblance to that reptile’s...
soil nailing n.— «Workers will use a technique called “soil nailing,” in which long pieces of steel are shot into the ground with a cannon-like device.» —“Section of North Portage Path to close” by Katie Byard Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) Apr. 26...
machineroomless elevator n.— «Otis has introduced flat hoist belts, made of polyurethane threaded with steel, which are lighter, stronger, and more energy-efficient than the old steel ropes. (Otis gave its employees gifts of belts made out of the...
squish n.— «All seven were wearing flame-retardant protective clothing and were standing next to the plant’s No. 1 oxygen furnace when they were “hit with this backlash of extreme heat, slag and molten steel,” United Steelworkers Local 6787...
hippo’s tooth n.— «At the same time, the cement bollards, affectionately known as “hippo teeth,” will be replaced by historically correct guardrails made of cedar and steel.» —“Mountain rehab is tough trek” by Jessica Willis Berkshire...
elephant cage n.— «On base is a maze of wire and steel rods laid out over an area larger than a football field. Local people call it “the elephant cage.” It houses one of the most important intelligence-gathering operations the U.S. military is...