"ratchets" in the noun sense
1. ratchet, rachet, ratch
mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction
"ratchets" in the verb sense
1. ratchet, rachet up, ratchet down
move by degrees in one direction only
"a ratcheting lopping tool"
Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)
Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.
View WordNet® License