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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

detent Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • afterburner: Full sized detachable throttle with Idle and Afterburner detents... .

Modifies a noun

  • escapement: Thomas Earnshaw made further simplifications, including the spring detent escapement which needed no lubrication.
  • position: Center Bypass When any eq fader is in its center detent position, the filter is automatically bypassed, for optimum performance.
  • mechanism: Head movement was controlled by a rack and pinion device stopped by a detent mechanism ( common on clocks ) when on track.

Noun used with modifier

  • center: Center Bypass When any eq fader is in its center detent position, the filter is automatically bypassed, for optimum performance.