escapement
/ɪˈskeɪpmənt/ noun
Forms escapements
- noun (clocks, mechanics) The linkage in a (watch) that gives impulses to the timekeeping element and periodically releases the gear train to move forward, advancing the clock's hands. “The escapement is the reason why clocks tick.”
- noun A mechanism found in devices such as a typewriter or printer which controls lateral motion of the carriage.
- noun An escape or a means of escape.
- noun The number of fish that escape commercial fishing operations and travel upstream to spawn.
Etymology
From escape + -ment. The watch component is so called because it allows a tooth to escape from a pallet at each vibration.
Webster’s 1913
Etymology [Cf. F. échappement. See Escape.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “escapement”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details