Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Teeth having one side radial, or nearly so, and the other side much inclined. A pawl, dog, or detent can slip over the inclined side but will catch on the radial side, thus permitting the wheel having such teeth to revolve in one direction only.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Imagine that at each slight depression between the ratchet-teeth it breaks a contact and cuts off a current, and at each slight rise renews the contact and permits a current to pass.

    Steam, Steel and Electricity James W. Steele

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