gravity escapement

noun

, Horology.

1. an escapement, used especially in large outdoor clocks, in which the impulse is given to the pendulum by means of a weight falling through a certain distance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravity escapement¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The piece driven by the pendulum is a rare Denison double three-legged gravity escapement, he added - originally developed for Big Ben in London, he said it’s the most accurate type of escapement for a tower clock mechanism.

From Washington Times

It was a relic of the past, an original E. Howard clock from Boston, Model No. 3 gravity escapement.

From Washington Times

A better construction, afterwards introduced, is to make the fly separate from the letting-off arms, whereby the blow on the cylinder is diminished, the fly being allowed to go on as in the gravity escapement.

From Project Gutenberg

No turret clock without either a train remontoire or a gravity escapement will approach that degree of accuracy.

From Project Gutenberg

The double three-legged gravity escapement, which was first used in the Westminster clock, is shown in fig.

From Project Gutenberg