escapement
Americannoun
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Horology. the portion of a watch or clock that measures beats and controls the speed of the going train.
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a mechanism for regulating the motion of a typewriter carriage, consisting of pawls and a toothed wheel or rack.
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a mechanism in a piano that causes a hammer to fall back into rest position immediately after striking a string.
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an act of escaping.
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Archaic. a way of escape; outlet.
noun
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horology a mechanism consisting of an escape wheel and anchor, used in timepieces to provide periodic impulses to the pendulum or balance
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any similar mechanism that regulates movement, usually consisting of toothed wheels engaged by rocking levers
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(in a piano) the mechanism that allows the hammer to clear the string after striking, so that the string can vibrate
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an overflow channel
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rare an act or means of escaping
Etymology
Origin of escapement
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Though the clock mechanism still worked, the escapement had been damaged at some point and Parks decided to make a new one.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 9, 2017
For instance, the new federal rules for the Gulf of Mexico require permit holders to report to the government only “major escapement events”, defined as 10% or more of cultured fish escaping from a pen.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 25, 2016
The Nooksack is closed so the hatchery can meet spawning escapement, and reopens Feb. 1.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 17, 2013
It is intended to be the first member of a family of movements incorporating both the DIAMonSIL escapement and an adjustable oscillator fitted with a silicium hairspring.
From New York Times ● Nov. 23, 2012
The descent of the weight is regulated by an escapement mechanism and, before the pendulum, it was the inaccuracy of this regulation that was the source of error.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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