Ratchet
['rætʃɪt]
Definition
(noun.) mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction.
(verb.) move by degrees in one direction only; 'a ratcheting lopping tool'.
Edited by Georgina--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.
(n.) A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and pawl. See Ratchet wheel, below, and 2d Ratch.
Edited by Allison
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Click, catch, detent, pawl.
Checked by Gilbert
Examples
- Upon it was mounted a broad ratchet-wheel with a crank, while into the teeth of the wheel there played a stout, elastic slab of wood. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- In this the high wheel was behind and the small one in front, and straps and ratchet wheels connected the pedals to the axle. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- One was used in connection with the propelling lever, which was provided with a pawl to fit into the teeth of the reversed ratchet wheel on its forward movement. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It printed upon a sheet of paper supported on a roller, carried in a sliding frame worked by a ratchet and pawl. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Each shaft with its dial was provided with two ratchet wheels, one the reverse of the other. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The box mechanism is usually of the ratchet, step-by-step movement, familiar in district messenger call-boxes. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- Finger pawls, working into ratchets at the ends of the roller, serve to rotate it after each line is printed. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Bolts or ratchets are inserted through the rail, and clamp the cushion to the wall of the rail. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- So they attached levers, pulleys, ratchets and windlasses, until at last they reached the size of the great siege cross-bows, weighing eighteen pounds. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
Inputed by Allen