detent

American  

[dih-tent] / dɪˈtɛnt /

noun

Machinery.

1. a mechanism that temporarily keeps one part in a certain position relative to that of another, and can be released by applying force to one of the parts.

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detent British  

/ dɪˈtɛnt /

noun

1. the locking piece of a mechanism, often spring-loaded to check the movement of a wheel in one direction only See also pawl

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Etymology

Origin of detent

1680–90; < French détente, Old French destente, derivative of destendre to relax, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + tendre to stretch; tender ²

Example Sentences

The change was made to the portion of the switch that holds the ignition key in place as it clicks between off, accessory and on positions, called the detent plunger and spring.

From Reuters • Mar. 30, 2014

"We certainly did not approve a detent plunger design change," DeGiorgio said last April in a deposition taken by plaintiff's attorney Lance Cooper.

From Reuters • Mar. 30, 2014

It also allows them to draw notes and leave a "haptic detent" - or force-feedback marker - at certain layers to make it easier to find them again later on.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2013

The Axis Perch works on a detent system where it's clamped onto the handlebar with three ball-bearing detents.

From Time Magazine Archive

The horn D2 of the detent should be bent until five degrees of angular motion of the balance will unlock the escape, and the contact of discharging jewel h should be made without engaging friction.

From Watch and Clock Escapements A Complete Study in Theory and Practice of the Lever, Cylinder and Chronometer Escapements, Together with a Brief Account of the Origin and Evolution of the Escapement in Horology by Anonymous