RATCH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ratch mean? 

• RATCH (noun)
  The noun RATCH has 1 sense:

1. mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction

  Familiarity information: RATCH used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RATCH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

rachet; ratch; ratchet

Hypernyms ("ratch" is a kind of...):

mechanical device (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)

Meronyms (parts of "ratch"):

click; detent; dog; pawl (a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward)

ratchet wheel (toothed wheel held in place by a pawl or detent and turned by a lever)

Holonyms ("ratch" is a part of...):

ratchet screwdriver; spiral ratchet screwdriver (a screwdriver with a ratchet (so the blade turns in only one direction) and a spiral in the handle (so the blade rotates) with downward pressure on the handle)