01 n. A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.
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1.
A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.
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2.
A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and pawl. See Ratchet wheel, below, and 2d Ratch. See: Ratch
Phrases & compounds
Ratchet brace —
a boring brace, having a ratchet wheel and pawl for rotating the tool by back and forth movements of the brace handle.
Ratchet drill —
a portable machine for working a drill by hand, consisting of a hand lever carrying at one end a drill holder which is revolved by means of a ratchet wheel and pawl, by swinging the lever back and forth.
Ratchet wheel —
a circular wheel having teeth, usually angular, with which a reciprocating pawl engages to turn the wheel forward, or a stationary pawl to hold it from turning backward.