variants:
or less commonly rachet
Definition of ratchet
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : a mechanism that consists of a bar or wheel having inclined teeth into which a pawl drops so that motion can be imparted to the wheel or bar, governed, or prevented and that is used in a hand tool (such as a wrench or screwdriver) to allow effective motion in one direction only
2 : a pawl or detent for holding or propelling a toothed wheel
ratchet
verbvariants:
or less commonly rachet
ratcheted also racheted; ratcheting also racheting; ratchets also rachets
Definition of ratchet (Entry 2 of 2)
: to cause to move by steps or degrees
—usually used with up or downtried to ratchet down the debt
: to proceed by steps or degrees
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Time Traveler for ratchet
The first known use of ratchet was in 1654
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