Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense ratchets, present participle ratcheting, past tense, past participle ratcheted
1N-COUNT (防倒转的)棘齿,棘轮 In a tool or machine, a ratchet is a wheel or bar with sloping teeth, which can move only in one direction, because a piece of metal stops the teeth from moving backwards. (防倒转的)棘齿,棘轮
The chair has a ratchet below it to adjust the height.
这把椅子下面有棘轮调整高度。
A ratchet mechanism transfers the thread from spool to bobbin.
一种棘齿装置把线从线轴转到梭心上。
2V-ERG (使)(工具或机器)发出嗒嗒声 If a tool or machine ratchets or if you ratchet it, it makes a clicking noise as it operates, because it has a ratchet in it. (使)(工具或机器)发出嗒嗒声
The rod bent double, the reel shrieked and ratcheted. [VERB]
操作杆进一步弯曲,线轴发出刺耳的吱吱声。
She took up a sheet and ratcheted it into the typewriter. [VERB noun]
她拿起一张纸,把它哗哗啦啦地塞到打字机中。
3N-SING (形势的)每况愈下,恶化 If you describe a situation as a ratchet, you mean that it is bad and can only become worse. (形势的)每况愈下,恶化 [mainly British]
...another raising of the ratchet of violence in the conflict.