- Rare the action of escaping or a means of escape
- the part in a mechanical clock or watch that controls the speed and regularity of the balance wheel or pendulum, and thereby of the entire mechanism, by the movement of a notched wheel (escape wheel), one tooth of which is permitted to escape from the detaining catch at a time
- a ratchet mechanism, esp. one in typewriters that regulates the horizontal movement of the carriage
Origin of escapement
escape + -ment, after French échappement
