Detent
Pronunciation : De*tent"
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. d?tente, fr. d?tendre to unbend, relax; pref. d?- (L. dis- or de) + tendre to stretch. See Distend.] (Mech.)
Definition : Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913