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

"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

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

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 Volume and Squelch control knobs on the unit I tested tended to move together�a bit more separation and a higher detent force for the volume knob will help.

From Time Magazine Archive

They are forces of detent in situations in which no other force produces equivalent effects, and each is a force of detent only in a specific group of men.

From Memories and Studies by James, Henry