anchor escapement

noun

, Horology.

1. an escapement in which wedge-shaped pallets engage with an escape wheel having pointed teeth, usually facing in the direction of revolution, so that the escape wheel recoils slightly at every release.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchor escapement¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The motions of the latter act, through an anchor escapement, upon a system of wheels.

From Project Gutenberg

With a common anchor escapement the scape-wheel can be driven round by wagging the anchor to and fro.

From Project Gutenberg

As a timekeeper the anchor escapement is inferior to the dead-beat escapement.

From Project Gutenberg

He favored the recoil anchor escapement in his clocks and the Graham dead-beat anchor escapement with a seconds' pendulum.

From Project Gutenberg

The anchor-escapement was invented by Clement, a London clockmaker, in 1680.

From Project Gutenberg