pawl

Etymology

Perhaps from Low German or Dutch pal (“catch (mechanism)”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɔːl/

  Rhymes: -ɔːl

• (Canada) IPA^(key): /pɑl/
• Homophones: pall, Paul

Noun

pawl (plural pawls)

1. A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.
   • 1910, Victor Appleton, Tom Swift and his Motorcycle

     A pawl is a sort of catch that fits into a ratchet wheel and pushes it around, or it may be used as a catch to prevent the backward motion of a windlass or the wheel on a derrick.

   • 1994, Cormac McCarthy, The Crossing:

     The nails in the rim of the wheel went ratcheting over the leather pawl and the wheel slowed and came to a stop and the woman turned to the crowd and smiled.

2. A similar device to prevent motion in other mechanisms besides ratchets.

Verb

pawl (third-person singular simple present pawls, present participle pawling, simple past and past participle pawled)

1. (transitive) To stop with a pawl.

Anagrams

• Walp, plaw