detent

/dɪˈtɛnt/ · noun

Meaning

That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch (stopping mechanism), pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.
The action of locking or unlocking movement by way of a detent mechanism

Etymology / origin

From French détente, from Latin tendō (“to stretch”).

tendō(la)→
détente(French)→
detent (English)
Relations: bor, der

Related words

détente(French)tendō(la)

Sources

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