pawl
A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow…A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.
Meaning
2 sensesA pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.
a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
A similar device to prevent motion in other mechanisms besides ratchets.
Translations
6 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
17th c., perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal (“catch (mechanism)”), or from either French17th c., perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal (“catch (mechanism)”), or from either French pal (“stake”) or épaule (“shoulder”).
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