ratchet (n.)

  1. mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction

    [ Syn: rachet , ratch ]

    ratchet (v.)

  1. move by degrees in one direction only; a ratcheting lopping tool

    [ Syn: rachet up , ratchet down ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
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