detent

noun

a hinged catch that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward

Roots

dede- · Latin · away, un-teneretent- · Latin · to hold

Synonyms & related words for detent

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of detent. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to detent

Explore words related to detent — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include pawl, lever, pintle, latch, tappet, clevis, ratchet, bushing. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Where does detent come from?

The word detent breaks down into 2 roots of Latin origin: de-, from Latin de (“away, un-”); and tent, from Latin tenere (“to hold”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.