ratchet
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Related to ratchets up: ratchet wheel
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.