[ ɪ'skeɪpm(ə)nt , ɛ- ]
■ noun
1》 a mechanism in a clock or watch that connects and regulates the motive power.
2》 a mechanism in a typewriter that shifts the carriage a small fixed amount to the left after a key is pressed and released.
3》 the part of the mechanism in a piano that enables the hammer to fall back as soon as it has struck the string.
Origin
C18: from Fr. échappement , from échapper 'to escape'.