|
| ratch·et [ ráchət ] |
noun (plural ratch·ets) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. turning device moving in one direction: a mechanism, used especially in lifting devices and some hand tools, consisting of a metal wheel operating with a catch that permits motion in only one direction
|
2. ratchet wheel or pawl: either of the main parts of a ratchet device, the toothed wheel or bar, or the pawl
|
verb (past and past participle ratch·et·ed, present participle ratch·et·ing, 3rd person present singular ratch·ets) |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. transitive verb U.S. force something up or down: to force something such as prices or political rhetoric to rise or fall in level or intensity by deliberately applying pressure in successive and irreversible stages
|
2. transitive and intransitive verb move with ratchet: to move gradually up or down by means of a ratchet, or to move something in this way
|
| [Mid-17th century. < French rochet "spool" < Germanic] |
