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ratch

Definition of ratch 

(Entry 1 of 6)

variant of

ratch

noun (1)
\ˈrach\
plural -es

Definition of ratch (Entry 2 of 6)

chiefly dialectal

: a blaze on an animal's face

ratch

intransitive verb
\"\
-ed/-ing/-es

Definition of ratch (Entry 3 of 6)

chiefly dialectal

: stretch, rend

ratch

noun (2)
\"\
plural -es

Definition of ratch (Entry 4 of 6)

: the distance between nip of back and front drafting rolls in spinning

ratch

noun (3)
\"\
plural -es

Definition of ratch (Entry 5 of 6)

1 : ratchet sense 1

2 : a notched bar with which a pawl or click works to prevent reversal of motion

ratch

transitive verb
\"\
-ed/-ing/-es

Definition of ratch (Entry 6 of 6)

1 : to cut gear teeth on (a wheel)

2 : to turn (as a tool) by or as if by a ratchet and pawl

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History and Etymology for ratch

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Intransitive verb

back-formation from raught, after English caught : catch

Noun (3)

German ratsche, rätsche clapper, rattle, ratchet, from ratschen, rätschen to rattle, from Middle High German ratzen; akin to Middle High German razzeln to rattle

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