ratchet wheel

SEE SYNONYMS FOR ratchet wheel ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Origin of ratchet wheel

First recorded in 1770–80

Words nearby ratchet wheel

ratcatcher, ratch, ratchet, ratchet effect, ratchet jack, ratchet wheel, rate, rate base, rate card, rate of exchange, rate of return

Example sentences from the Web for ratchet wheel

H is a ratchet-wheel, which, like the key-board, is insulated from the rest of the apparatus.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 315, January 14, 1882 |Various
A detail of one of them is shown at v in Fig. 1380, where x is the ratchet-wheel.

Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II |Joshua Rose
A catch or pall, turning on a fixed axis, prevents the ratchet-wheel or rack from reversing its motion.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 8 |Various
When the tympanum vibrates under the influence of the voice, the stylus acts as a pawl and turns a ratchet-wheel.

Heroes of the Telegraph |J. Munro

In the coach-seat at b, the fly with its pinion, as well as a ratchet-wheel, is necessary.

A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines |Andrew Ure

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

ratchet wheel

noun

Origin of ratchet wheel

Words nearby ratchet wheel

Example sentences from the Web for ratchet wheel