WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pawl
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [W. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. Pole a stake.] (Mach.)
Definition : Defn: A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel. [Written also paul, or pall.] Pawl bitt (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass, to receive the strain of the pawls. -- Pawl rim or ring (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the pawls to catch in.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Pawl
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : Defn: To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off. To pawl the capstan. See under Capstan.

t.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913