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escape wheel

noun Horology.
  1. a toothed wheel for regulating a going train to which it is geared, engaging intermittently with the pallets of a pendulum or balance mechanism in such a way as to cause the mechanism to oscillate rhythmically, and in so doing free the going train for part of each oscillation.
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Origin of escape wheel

First recorded in 1880–85
Also called scape wheel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for escape wheel

Historical Examples

  • This last arc defines the addendum of the escape-wheel teeth.

    Watch and Clock Escapements

    Anonymous

  • The escape-wheel arbor and pallet staff can be made in the same way.

  • The next straight tooth of the escape-wheel is now resting against the roller e, and the same operation again takes place.

    Time and Time-Tellers

    James W. Benson

  • A is the escape-wheel, B the escape-wheel teeth, C the roller let on the verge, or axis of the balance.

    Time and Time-Tellers

    James W. Benson

  • But the pressure of the escape-wheel against the detent, and the consequent friction, prevent the pendulum from acting freely.

    Great Facts

    Frederick C. Bakewell

British Dictionary definitions for escape wheel

escape wheel

noun
  1. horology a toothed wheel that engages intermittently with a balance wheel or pendulum, causing the mechanism to oscillate and thereby moving the hands of a clock or watchAlso called: scapewheel
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012