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Short week for me, so a short theme -- basically because I haven't collected a full five terms by the time this reached the top of my queue. Theme being mechanical terms.
pawl (PAWL) - n., a pivoted tongue or sliding bolt adapted to fall into notches on another part of a machine (such as a ratchet wheel) so as to permit motion in only one direction.
Or similar bits, such as the part that locks an extension ladder. Exact origin is disputed, but it's attested from around the 1620s, possibly from Dutch pal, a catch that prevents something from moving the wrong way (esp. possibly in a nautical sense of a bar on a capstan) or French pal, stake/pole.
---L.
pawl (PAWL) - n., a pivoted tongue or sliding bolt adapted to fall into notches on another part of a machine (such as a ratchet wheel) so as to permit motion in only one direction.
Or similar bits, such as the part that locks an extension ladder. Exact origin is disputed, but it's attested from around the 1620s, possibly from Dutch pal, a catch that prevents something from moving the wrong way (esp. possibly in a nautical sense of a bar on a capstan) or French pal, stake/pole.
---L.
