ESCAPEMENT

Escapement

An escapement is a device in mechanical watches and clocks that transfers energy to the timekeeping element and allows the number of its oscillations to be counted . The impulse action transfers energy to the clock's timekeeping element to replace the energy lost to friction during its cycle, to keep the timekeeper oscillating. The escapement is driven by force from a coiled spring or a suspended weight, transmitted through the timepiece's gear train.

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

escapement

Noun

  1. The contrivance in a timepiece (winding wrist watch) which connects the train of wheel work with the pendulum or balance, giving to the latter the impulse by which it is kept in vibration; -- so called because it allows a tooth to escape from a pallet at each vibration.
  2. a mechanism found in devices such as a typewriter or printer which controls lateral motion of the carriage
  3. an escape or means of escape


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

Need help with a clue?
Try your search in the crossword dictionary!