pawl
3 synonyms for pawl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hinged piece of metal that drops into the teeth of a wheel, letting it turn in only one direction, as on a winch or in a clock.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
First recorded in the 17th century, perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal, meaning "catch (mechanism)", or from either French pal, meaning "stake", or épaule, meaning "shoulder".
Full origin of pawl →