Pawl1. (n.) A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent.
2. (v. t.) To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off.
Thesaurus Entries
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