De*tent" (?), n. [F.
détente, fr. détendre to unbend, relax;
pref. dé- (L. dis- or de) + tendre
to stretch. See Distend.] (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.