Left hand before pivoted lever? (4)

I believe the answer is:

pawl

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'left hand before pivoted lever?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'left hand before' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'hand' becomes 'paw' (synonyms).
'before' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'l' put after 'paw' is 'PAWL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for pawl that I've seen is " Ratcheting catch".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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