Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[F.

détente

, fr.

détendre

to unbend, relax; pref.

dé-

(L.

dis-

) +

tendre

to stretch. See

(Mech.)

That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.

Noun.

[L.] A stop in a clock, which by being lifted up or let down, locks and unlocks the clock in striking.