escapement

[ ih-skeyp-muhnt ]

noun

1. Horology. the portion of a watch or clock that measures beats and controls the speed of the going train. Compare anchor escapement, deadbeat ( def 4 ), lever escapement.
2. a mechanism for regulating the motion of a typewriter carriage, consisting of pawls and a toothed wheel or rack.
3. a mechanism in a piano that causes a hammer to fall back into rest position immediately after striking a string.
4. an act of escaping.
5. Archaic. a way of escape; outlet.

escapement

/ ɪˈskeɪpmənt /

noun

1. horology a mechanism consisting of an escape wheel and anchor, used in timepieces to provide periodic impulses to the pendulum or balance
2. any similar mechanism that regulates movement, usually consisting of toothed wheels engaged by rocking levers
3. (in a piano) the mechanism that allows the hammer to clear the string after striking, so that the string can vibrate
4. an overflow channel
5. rare.
   an act or means of escaping

Word History and Origins

Origin of escapement¹

1730–40; escape + -ment (calque of French échappement

Example Sentences

The old clock is prepared for use by removing the hands, balance wheel and escapement so that the wheels will turn freely.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, the smaller the pallet and impulse angles the less will the balance and escapement be connected.

From Project Gutenberg

We will give our method of drafting the escapement, which happens in some respects to differ from others.

From Project Gutenberg

When treating on the width of the ruby pin, we mentioned the Savage pin roller escapement, which we illustrate in Figs. 26 and 27.

From Project Gutenberg

The correct delineation of the lever escapement is a very important matter.

From Project Gutenberg