RATCHET • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Ratchet

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noun

Ratchet n.

A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.

A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and pawl. See Ratchet wheel, below, and 2d Ratch.

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. 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.

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Etymology of 'Ratchet'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ratchet" Quotes from Famous Books

... the elements of the same trough or only a part of them. To effect this, the drum around which the chain winds that carries the carbons is mounted upon a sleeve fixed upon the axle. This latter is actuated by a winch; and a ratchet wheel, R, joined to a click which is actuated by a spiral spring, prevents the ebonite plates from falling back when it is desired to place the bolt under the button, ...

— Scientific American Supplement, No. 455, September 20, 1884 • Various

... grasping forceps designed by Mosher. For my own use I have taken off the ratchet-locking device for all general work, to be reapplied on the rare occasions when it ...

— Bronchoscopy and Esophagoscopy - A Manual of Peroral Endoscopy and Laryngeal Surgery • Chevalier Jackson

... drawing the patterns possesses little of novelty. Ever since a bench moulder's neighbor first rapped the bench while he lifted a cope or drew a pattern, the thing has been done in one way or another. In fact, machines are now and then found on the market in which a device like a ratchet or other mechanical means for jarring the machine structure during pattern drawing renders the working of easy patterns without stripping ...

— Scientific American Supplement, No. 1157, March 5, 1898 • Various

Words linked to "Ratchet" : pass on, detent, ratchet down, ratch, click, spiral ratchet screwdriver, pawl, march on, ratchet wheel, rachet up