ratchet wheel

American  

noun

1. a wheel, with teeth on the edge, into which a pawl drops or catches, as to prevent reversal of motion or convert reciprocating motion into rotatory motion.

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Etymology

Origin of ratchet wheel

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

On the pendulum he had a little ratchet wheel, R, having thirty teeth.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 664, September 22,1888 by Various

We think a ratchet wheel should not be employed with equidistant pallets.

From An Analysis of the Lever Escapement by Playtner, H. R.

He could not himself stoop; or, if he did, he could only sit erect again after the method of a ratchet wheel.

From Sheila of Big Wreck Cove A Story of Cape Cod by Owen, R. Emmett (Robert Emmett)

The L lever carries a pawl which operates a ratchet wheel, placed on the handle end of the slide rest cross feed screw.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

Every ferry passenger is familiar with the rapid tinkling of the ratchet wheel that warps the landing stage up to the level of the boat's deck.

From Mince Pie by Morley, Christopher