noun
pawl
Pawl (noun) means 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.
noun
1
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.
"The nails in the rim of the wheel went ratcheting over the leather pawl and the wheel slowed and came to a stop and the woman turned to the crowd and smiled."
— Cormac McCarthy, The Crossing (1994)
"A pawl is a sort of catch that fits into a ratchet wheel and pushes it around, or it may be used as a catch to prevent the backward motion of a windlass or the wheel on a derrick."
— Victor Appleton, Tom Swift and his Motorcycle (1910)
2
A similar part used to stop movement in other kinds of machinery.
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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".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pawl
See all rhymes for pawl →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of pawl?
"pawl" (noun) means 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.
What is another word for pawl?
Other words for "pawl" include click, dog, detent.
What are the different meanings of pawl?
"pawl" has 2 main meanings: 1. 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; 2. A similar part used to stop movement in other kinds of machinery.
