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ratchet |
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ratchetMechanical device that transmits intermittent motion or permits a shaft to rotate in one direction but not in the opposite one. Reversible ratchets are used on socket wrench handles and are convenient for tightening or loosening bolts in positions where a complete revolution of a wrench handle is impossible. They are used in mechanical jacks to lock the jack rod after each successive lift. ratchet 1. a device in which a toothed rack or wheel is engaged by a pawl to permit motion in one direction only 2. the toothed rack or wheel forming part of such a device ratchet [′rach·ət] (design engineering) A wheel, usually toothed, operating with a catch or a pawl so as to rotate in only a single direction. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| Davies, ratchets up the stakes in each episode to ridiculous, operatic levels -- the fate of an entire planet is a good place for starters -- then has a laugh at it. And the brain interprets a drop in leptin as a sign that you're starving, so it ratchets down your metabolic rate. This is just fine as long as progress toward recovery is occurring, but it's a problem when a simple cold ratchets up to something else like sinusitis or bronchitis. |
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