English Dictionary

ratchet

/ˈɹætʃɪt/

noun

A pawl, click, or detent for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc. / A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch and pawl. / A ratchet wrench.

He used a ratchet to tighten the bolts.

意味（1）

A pawl, click, or detent for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.

意味（2）

A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch and pawl.

意味（3）

A ratchet wrench.

意味（4）

(by extension) A procedure or regulation that goes in one direction, usually up.

The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty.

意味（5）

A noisemaker or musical instrument where sound is generated by a board striking against a rotating gear. See gragger, raganella.