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Pawl

//pɔːl// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.

    "A pawl is a sort of catch that fits into a ratchet wheel and pushes it around, or it may be used as a catch to prevent the backward motion of a windlass or the wheel on a derrick."

  2. 2
    Alternative form of paul (“kind of tent”). alt-of, alternative
  3. 3
    a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward wordnet
  4. 4
    A similar device to prevent motion in other mechanisms besides ratchets.
Verb
  1. 1
    To stop with a pawl. transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

17th c., perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal (“catch (mechanism)”), or from either French pal (“stake”) or épaule (“shoulder”).

Etymology 2

17th c., perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal (“catch (mechanism)”), or from either French pal (“stake”) or épaule (“shoulder”).

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