pawl

1. 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. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. Source: opted

2. v. t. To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off. Source: opted

3. n. a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward Source: wordnet

4. 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. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.] Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls. -- Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in. To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off. To pawl the capstan. See under Capstan. Source: webster

5. 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 onedirection and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch,click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul,or pall.] Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass,to receive the strain of the pawls.-- Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surroundingthe base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in. Source: adambom

6. n. a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward Source: ecdict

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