DETENT

Detent

A detent is a device used to mechanically resist or arrest the rotation of a wheel, axle, or spindle. Such a device can be anything ranging from a simple metal pin to a machine. The term is also used for the method involved.

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detent

Noun

  1. That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.

Verb

  1. The action of creating a detent mechanism to lock or unlock movement.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: detent
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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