pawl, paul

[Welsh pawl =a pole, a stake; cogn. with Lat. pal us; Eng. pale, s.] A pivoted bar adapted to fall into the notches or teeth of a wheel as it rotates in one direction, and to restrain it from back motion. Used in windla es, capstans, and similar machinery. The pawl acts by gravitation or by a spring. [CLICK, DETENT.] Pawl and half - pawl : Two pawls of different lengths acting on the same wheel. pawl-bitt, pawl-post, s. Naut .: A timber opposite the middle of the windla supporting the pawls which engage the ratchet of the barrel.