01 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 rat…
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1.
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.(Mach.) See: Ratchet Wheel
Phrases & compounds
Pawl bitt —
a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls.
Pawl rim —
a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.