DCHP-2

key-log Lumbering DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1 n.

  the log which when released will free a jam (def. 2).

  See also: jam ((n.)) (def. 2)  key-piece  key-stick  lock-stick  

  • 1853  It may be thought best to cut off the key-log, or that which appears to be the principal barrier.
  • 1894  Every hour's delay increased the tangle, and the difficulty of breaking the jam. The first thing necessary was to find the key log of the jam.
  • 1964  We watched it [the driving boat] . . . go into quick action where river drivers loosened key logs in jams along the river.

• 2 n.

  the log retaining a pile of logs at the water's edge.

  See also: brow (def. 2)  

  • 1964  When spring arrived the timber was released from its position on the shore; this was usually effected by moving the "key-log", located in such a position that it held all the others in place.