[f. TRIP sb.1 or v. + HAMMER.] A massive machine-hammer operated by a tripping device, as a wheel with projecting teeth, a cam, or the like, by which it is raised and then allowed to drop; a tilt-hammer. Also fig.
[1809. (Oct. 14), A trip hammer was patented by the United States to John Smith, Otsego County, New York.]
1824. Debates in Congress, 18 Feb. (1856), 1572. Our committee on manufactures, while it keeps in motion its wheels and trip-hammers, has kindly condescended to superintend our ploughs and sheep-folds.
1831. J. Holland, Manuf. Metal, I. 128. A blast furnace, forge, trip-hammer, shop, and mills.
1848. Lowell, Fable for Critics, 893. When the heart in his breast like a trip-hammer beats.
1854. Emerson, Lett. & Soc. Aims, Eloquence, Wks. (Bohn), III. 190. What character, what infinite variety, belong to the voice! sometimes it is a flute, sometimes a trip-hammer.
attrib. a. 1864. Gesner, Coal, Petrol, etc. (1865), 321. To bore the well with an auger, instead of a trip-hammer motion.
1883. H. Tuttle, in Harper’s Mag., Nov., 825/2. Chisels acting on the trip-hammer principle.
1896. Kipling, Seven Seas, M‘Andrew’s Hymn, 45. Oh for a man to weld it then, in one trip-hammer strain.
