Lathe

n.
  1. A granary; a barn.
  2. (Mach.) A machine for turning, that is, for shaping articles of wood, metal, or other material, by causing them to revolve while acted upon by a cutting tool.
  3. The movable swing frame of a loom, carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft; -- called also lay and batten.
    4. Blanchard lathe ,
    a lathe for turning irregular forms after a given pattern, as lasts, gunstocks, and the like.
    Drill lathe, or Speed lathe ,
    a small lathe which, from its high speed, is adapted for drilling; a hand lathe.
    Engine lathe ,
    a turning lathe in which the cutting tool has an automatic feed; -- used chiefly for turning and boring metals, cutting screws, etc.
    Foot lathe ,
    a lathe which is driven by a treadle worked by the foot.
    Geometric lathe. See under Geometric --Hand lathe ,
    a lathe operated by hand; a power turning lathe without an automatic feed for the tool.
    Slide lathe ,
    an engine lathe.
    Throw lathe ,
    a small lathe worked by one hand, while the cutting tool is held in the other.