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detent definition

de·tent (dē′tent′; also di tent′)

noun

Mech. a part that stops or releases a movement, as a catch for controlling the striking of a clock

Etymology: Fr détente < détendre, to relax, unbend < dé- (L dis-), from + tendre, to stretch: see tend

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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