1. pawl - Noun
2. pawl - Verb
A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine, adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse, as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of Ratchet Wheel.
To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off.
Source: Webster's dictionaryA later design implemented a rolling cylindrical pawl called a "nut" to retain the string. Source: Internet
As this ring rotated with its rotor, a notch machined into it would eventually align itself with the pawl, allowing it to engage with the ratchet, and advance the rotor on its left. Source: Internet
Here, the middle rotor (2) is engaged because the notch in the first rotor is aligned with the pawl; it will step (turn over) with the first rotor. Source: Internet
When the pendulum swings away from its normal plumb position due to sudden deceleration or rollover, a pawl is engaged, the reel locks and the strap restrains the belted occupant in position. Source: Internet
The right-hand pawl, having no rotor and ring to its right, stepped its rotor with every key depression. Source: Internet
The third rotor (3) is not engaged, because the notch in the second rotor is not aligned to the pawl, so it will not engage with the rachet. Source: Internet