Hypertext Webster Gateway: "ratchet"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Ratchet \Ratch"et\, n. [Properly a diminutive from the same word
as rack: cf. F. rochet. See 2d {Ratch}, {Rack} the
instrument.]
1. A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a
ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.

2. A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and
pawl. See {Ratchet wheel}, below, and 2d {Ratch}.

{Ratchet brace} (Mech.), a boring brace, having a ratchet
wheel and pawl for rotating the tool by back and forth
movements of the brace handle.

{Ratchet drill}, a portable machine for working a drill by
hand, consisting of a hand lever carrying at one end a
drill holder which is revolved by means of a ratchet wheel
and pawl, by swinging the lever back and forth.

{Ratchet wheel} (Mach.), a circular wheel having teeth,
usually angular, with which a reciprocating pawl engages
to turn the wheel forward, or a stationary pawl to hold it
from turning backward.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

ratchet
n : mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack
engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one
direction [syn: {rachet}, {ratch}]
v : move by degrees in one direction only, as of toothed wheels
[syn: {rachet up}, {ratchet down}]

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