detent

[ dih-tent ]

noun

, Machinery.

1. a mechanism that temporarily keeps one part in a certain position relative to that of another, and can be released by applying force to one of the parts.

detent

/ dɪˈtɛnt /

noun

1. the locking piece of a mechanism, often spring-loaded to check the movement of a wheel in one direction only See also pawl

Word History and Origins

Origin of detent¹

1680–90; < French détente, Old French destente, derivative of destendre to relax, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + tendre to stretch; tender ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of detent¹

C17: from Old French destente, a loosening, trigger: see détente

Example Sentences

Mr. Trump tweeted three times in 10 minutes Saturday morning targeting both Baltimore and Mr. Cummings, a Baltimore native who has represented Maryland’s 7th District in Congress since 1996, in light of the lawmaker recently complaining about the administration’s operation of migrant detent camps near the southern border.

From Washington Times

One bit of relearning: With the TTI, you push through a detent to select, not click or double-click.

From Wall Street Journal

Hardly daring to hope, I pushed the throttle through the detent to select minimum reheat… and sure enough, it lit with no problem at all.

From BBC

In 1889, the Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges was awarded a Gold Medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition after first winning it in 1876 for a straight bridges type with a detent escapement in a plain gold case, before taking home the highest distinction in 1901 when it was declared “hors concours”, its quality deemed beyond compare.

From Forbes

In part due to the recent tensions, it’s unlikely that Obama and Rouhani will repeat the act of detent that occurred last year when the two leaders spoke over the phone while the Iranian president was in New York City.

From Time