Category:Pawl

Pawl, n. Etym: [w. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. Pole a stake.] (mach.)

Defn: 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. [written also paul, Or pall.] Pawl bitt (naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, To receive the strain of the pawls. -- pawl rim or ring (naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding The base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.

Pawl Pawl, v. t.

Defn: to stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off. To pawl the Capstan. See under capstan.