Associations to the word «Detent»

Wiktionary

DETENT, noun. That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.
DETENT, verb. The action of creating a detent mechanism to lock or unlock movement.

Dictionary definition

DETENT, noun. A hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward.

Wise words

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.
Noam Chomsky