| ratchet | mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction |
|---|---|
| ratchet | move by degrees in one direction only, as of toothed wheels |
| ratchet | move by degrees in one direction only, as of toothed wheels |
| ratchet | a screwdriver with a ratchet (so the blade turns in only one direction) and a spiral in the handle (so the blade rotates) with downward pressure on the handle |
| ratchet | toothed wheel held in place by a pawl or detent and turned by a lever |