detent
1
9.9
- noun
- /dɪˈtɛnt/
- Specialized
:
detente
- To adjust the angle, turn the knob until you hear a detent click into position.
- detent between gears
- ball detent
When you're choosing a wire stripper, make sure that the little detents in here that line up to different wire sizes.
- When you're choosing a wire stripper, make sure that the little detents in here that line up to different wire sizes.
Examples
-
It is irresistibly drawn to the mid-travel detent whether one wants it there or not.
Academic text (2011) -
Together with the open-looped 2200 series, these actuators are designed to actively resist external forces at power off because of motor detent.
Academic text (1994) -
I may actually add a third detent below those first two to give myself a little more adjustability.
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I did have to drill out the front of the tube slightly, as the detent is a little larger in diameter than the spring itself.
Blog text (13) -
A detent and a cocking mechanism were welded to it.
Fiction book (1998) -
Many oven doors stay in intermediate and end positions with stout detents.
Academic text (2011) -
I feel so much more gription from the long taper and three large detents on these screwdrivers.
-
After tapping the 1/4-28 thread for the grip screw, I attached the grip, keeping the selector in place by virtue of its detent.
Blog text (13) -
The mechanical advantage of pliers or tin snips is obvious enough, but a subtler example is the detent positioning of a rotating knob.
Academic text (2011) -
These motors have a sinusoidal torque function with very low harmonic distortion and low detent torque, as well as static and dynamic accuracy for any position and under any load or speed conditions.
Academic text (2005)
Synonyms
16
8.2
A small catch in a ratchet that keeps a wheel from moving back
14
9.9
A small metal part that fits into a wheel to let it move one way
A small metal lever that fits into a gear notch to stop backward movement and let forward movement
How Secure
Surface Forms
Etymology
Detent comes from the French détente, which means 'release' or 'relax', and is from the same root as words like tension and extend. Think of a small catch that lets a wheel 'release' one step and then holds it again, so a detent is the little stop or catch that controls movement.