Ratchet Definition
răchĭt
ratcheted, ratcheting, ratchets
noun
ratchets
A toothed wheel (in full ratchet wheel) or bar whose teeth slope in one direction so as to catch and hold a pawl, which thus prevents backward movement.
Webster's New World
Such a wheel (or bar) and pawl as a unit: used in some wrenches, screwdrivers, etc. to allow motion in only one direction.
Webster's New World
Such a pawl.
Webster's New World
verb
To (cause to) change in increments.
To ratchet up interest rates.
Webster's New World
To increase or decrease by increments.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- ratchet down
- rachet up
adjective
(US, slang) Ghetto (unseemly and indecorous)
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Ratchet
Noun
Singular:
ratchetPlural:
ratchetsOrigin of Ratchet
French rochet from Old French rocquet head of a lance (from the shape of the teeth) of Germanic origin
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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