ETYM AS. handle. Related to Hand.
The part of an object designed to be held in order to use or move it; SYN. grip, handgrip, hold.
ETYM Old Eng. lacche, from lacchen to seize, As. laeccan.
(Irregular plural: latches).
1. A fastening for a door or gate: a bar that can be lowered or slid into a groove.
2. A spring-loaded doorlock that can only be opened from the outside with a key.
ETYM w. pawl a pole, a stake. Related to Pole a stake.
(Homonym: pall, Paul).
A hinged device that fits into a notch of a ratchet to move a wheel forward or prevent it from moving backward; SYN. detent, click, dog.
Lever which engages with a ratchet wheel so as to permit movement in one direction only.
Tool or machine for lifting, hoisting, or moving heavy weights, such as motor vehicles. A screw jack uses the principle of the screw to magnify an applied effort; in an automobile jack, for example, turning the handle many times causes the lifting screw to rise slightly, and the effort is magnified to lift heavy weights. A hydraulic jack uses a succession of piston strokes to increase pressure in a liquid and force up a lifting ram.
Medieval leather coat worn as armour.