Frein Meaning and Definition
Frein
Pronunciation
/ˈfriːn/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A device used to slow down or stop the movement of a vehicle, typically on an incline, by applying friction to the wheels or transmission.
Examples
- To get up the steep hill, I had to use the frein on my bike.
- Before driving down the mountain, make sure to engage the frein.
- Using a frein helps prevent your car from rolling back when parked on an incline.
- The cyclists had to dismount and use their frein to climb the steep part of the trail.
- The free-wheeling motion of the bicycle was interrupted by the frein as it crested the hill.
Synonyms
- Brake
- Clutch
Antonyms
- Acceleration
- Gearing up
Etymology
The word “frein” originates from the Old French “frein”, meaning “brake” or “rein”, and is derived from the Latin “fraenum”, meaning “halter” or “rein”.
Usage Notes
In certain contexts, “frein” may be used interchangeably with “brake”, but in engineering and technical specifications, “frein” typically refers specifically to a device used to slow down or stop a vehicle.
Cultural References
In the film “The Silence of the Lambs”, the villain Hannibal Lecter refers to the need to engage the frein to slow down the movement of his car.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The phrase “to frein the wheel” is an idiom that means to slow down or bring something to a halt.
Related Words or Phrases
- Brake pad
- Clutch pedal
- Braking system
Collocations
- frein up
- engage the frein
- release the frein
Frequency of Use
The word “frein” is most commonly used in technical and engineering contexts, but it can also be found in casual conversation when referring to vehicles and transportation.
Common Misspellings
- Frein instead of Frein
- Frein pronounced as “freen” instead of “friːn”