a machine for shaping, boring, facing, or cutting a screw thread in metal, wood, etc, in which the workpiece is turned about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool
—vb
2.
(tr) to shape, bore, or cut a screw thread in or on (a workpiece) on a lathe
[perhaps C15 lath a support, of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Danish lad lathe, Old English hlæd heap]
lathe2 (leɪð)
—n
(Brit) history any of the former administrative divisions of Kent
"machine for turning," 1310, probably from a Scandinavian source (cf. Dan. drejelad "turning-lathe," O.N. hlaða "pile of shavings under a lathe," related to hlaða "to load, lade.")