Ratchet

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ratchet \Ratch"et\ (-[e^]t), n. [Properly a diminutive from the
     same word as rack: cf. F. rochet. See 2d {Ratch}, {Rack} the
     instrument.]
     1. A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a
        ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and
        pawl. See {Ratchet wheel}, below, and 2d {Ratch}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {Ratchet brace} (Mech.), 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} (Mach.), 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.
        [1913 Webster]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In the cut, the moving pawl c slides over the teeth in
           one direction, but in returning, draws the wheel with
           it, while the pawl d prevents it from turning in the
           contrary direction.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  ratchet
       n : mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack
           engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one
           direction [syn: {rachet}, {ratch}]
       v : move by degrees in one direction only; "a ratcheting lopping
           tool" [syn: {rachet up}, {ratchet down}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  18 Moby Thesaurus words for "ratchet":
     cog, comb, crag, fang, harrow, jag, peak, pecten, projection, rake,
     sawtooth, snag, snaggle, spire, sprocket, spur, steeple, tooth