ratchet
US /ˈrætʃɪt/
・UK /'rætʃɪt/
A1
noun
- Toothed wheel with a catch allowing motion one way
- A hand tool that allows rotary motion in one direction only.
- A mechanical device consisting of a wheel or rack with teeth, engaged by a pawl that permits movement in only one direction.
other
- To cause something to increase or decrease as a step in what is perceived as an irreversible process.
- To cause something to increase or decrease as a step in what is presented as a series of unalterable steps.