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ratchet
(redirected from ratchets up)

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
ratch·et  (rcht)
n.
1. A mechanism consisting of a pawl that engages the sloping teeth of a wheel or bar, permitting motion in one direction only.
2. The pawl, wheel, or bar of this mechanism.
v. ratch·et·ed, ratch·et·ing, ratch·ets
v.tr.
To cause to increase or decrease by increments: "Some companies . . . may make things worse if they seek to ratchet down their medical expenses by limiting benefits for psychological or psychiatric care" (Newsweek).
v.intr.
To increase or decrease by increments.

[French rochet, from Old French rocquet, head of a lance (from the shape of the teeth), of Germanic origin.]

ratchet [ˈrætʃɪt]
n
1. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) a device in which a toothed rack or wheel is engaged by a pawl to permit motion in one direction only
2. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) the toothed rack or wheel forming part of such a device
[from French rochet, from Old French rocquet blunt head of a lance, of Germanic origin: compare Old High German rocko distaff]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.ratchetratchet - mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction
mechanical device - mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles
detent, pawl, click, dog - a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward
ratchet wheel - toothed wheel held in place by a pawl or detent and turned by a lever
ratchet screwdriver, spiral ratchet screwdriver - a screwdriver with a ratchet (so the blade turns in only one direction) and a spiral in the handle (so the blade rotates) with downward pressure on the handle
Verb1.ratchet - move by degrees in one direction only; "a ratcheting lopping tool"
advance, march on, move on, progress, pass on, go on - move forward, also in the metaphorical sense; "Time marches on"
Translations
ratchet [ˈrætʃɪt]
A. N (Tech) → trinquete m
B. CPD ratchet wheel Nrueda f de trinquete
ratchet up
A. VT + ADVincrementar
B. VI + ADVincrementarse, sufrir un incremento
ratchet [ˈrætʃɪt] ncliquet m
ratchet wheel → roue f à rochet
ratchet
nRatsche f; ratchet wheelSperrrad nt; it is one more ratchet in the cycle of violence that exists heredas ist eine weitere Drehung der Spirale der Gewalt, die hier existiert
ratchet [ˈrætʃɪt] narpionismo
ratchet [ˈrætʃɪt] narpionismo


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