The spelling of the word "coulter" can be deceiving to those unfamiliar with its origins. The correct pronunciation is /ˈkʌltər/, with emphasis on the first syllable. This word refers to the blade of a plow, and it comes from the Old English word "culter." The spelling with a "c" rather than a "k" reflects a historic shift in English spelling, with the letter "c" replacing the letter "k" in many words. Despite this, the IPA phonetic transcription remains a reliable way to understand the true pronunciation of words like "coulter."
A coulter, also known as a colter, is a cutting blade that is part of a plow or a cultivator utilized in agricultural practices. Specifically, it is a horizontal metal piece typically positioned at the front of a plowshare or a cultivator's main body, just above the ground surface. The primary function of a coulter is to create a furrow in the soil by cutting through the vegetation and earth ahead of the plowshare.
Typically, a coulter consists of a sharp-edged, disk-shaped blade made of steel or iron. It is affixed to a perpendicular shaft that is connected to the plow frame or cultivator. As the agricultural machinery advances, the rotating coulter cuts through any existing groundcover, such as roots, plants, grass, or weeds. By removing this surface vegetation and slicing through the soil, the coulter helps to create a clean and defined furrow in which the plow or cultivator will operate effectively.
The design of the coulter blade can vary depending on the specific agricultural practice and soil conditions. It may feature different shapes, sizes, or serrated edges, optimizing its cutting ability for various purposes. Overall, the utilization of a coulter enhances the efficiency and productivity of plowing or cultivating tasks by ensuring proper ground preparation and enabling the subsequent agricultural process to proceed smoothly.
The sharp iron of the plough which cuts the earth; also colter.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "coulter" has its origins in the Old English word "culter", which itself was derived from the Latin word "culter", meaning "knife" or "blade". In Medieval Latin, it specifically referred to the blade of a plowshare. Over time, the term evolved to specifically describe the cutting blade of a plow or a similar agricultural implement used for breaking up soil. The word "coulter" is still used in the context of farming and agriculture today.