ratch

1 of 6

variant of rach

ratch

2 of 6

noun (1)

ˈrach
plural -es
chiefly dialectal
: a blaze on an animal's face

ratch

3 of 6

intransitive verb

"
-ed/-ing/-es
chiefly dialectal

ratch

4 of 6

noun (2)

"
plural -es
: the distance between nip of back and front drafting rolls in spinning

ratch

5 of 6

noun (3)

"
plural -es
1
2
: a notched bar with which a pawl or click works to prevent reversal of motion

ratch

6 of 6

transitive verb

"
-ed/-ing/-es
1
: to cut gear teeth on (a wheel)
2
: to turn (as a tool) by or as if by a ratchet and pawl

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Intransitive verb

back-formation from raught, after English caught : catch

Noun (3)

German ratsche, rätsche clapper, rattle, ratchet, from ratschen, rätschen to rattle, from Middle High German ratzen; akin to Middle High German razzeln to rattle

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near ratch

Cite this Entry

“Ratch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ratch. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!