Sekirov Dictionary

lock

UK /lɒk/US /lɑk/

noun 16
verb 12
forms 6
phrases 13

noun16

•
a thing on a door or box that keeps it closed until a key or secret numbers open it
- "Give me the key," said my mother; and though the lock was very stiff, she had turned it and thrown back the lid in a twinkling. — 1881
•
A mutex or other token restricting access to a resource.
- [T]he application must first acquire a lock on a file or a portion of a file before reading data and modifying it. — 2005
•
A tuft or length of hair, wool, etc.
- If I consent to burn them, will you promise faithfully neither to send nor receive a letter again, nor a book (for I perceive you have sent him books), nor locks of hair, nor rings, nor playthings? — 1847
A small quantity of straw etc.
A single dreadlock.
•
A segment of a canal or other navigable waterway enclosed by gates, used for raising and lowering boats between levels.
- Here the canal came to a check, ending abruptly with a large lock. — 1846
•
Complete control over a situation.
- Even though he had not yet done so, Jack felt he had a lock on the game. — 2003
•
Something sure to be a success.
- Brian thinks she's a lock to get a scholarship somewhere. — 2004
A fastening together or interlacing; a closing of one thing upon another; a state of being fixed or immovable.
•
A grapple in wrestling.
- They must be also practis'd in all the Locks and Gripes of Wrestling — 1644
•
The firing mechanism in a gun.
- "I never saw such a gun in my life," replied poor Winkle, looking at the lock, as if that would do any good. — 1836
A device for keeping a wheel from turning.
A player in the scrum behind the front row, usually the tallest members of the team.
•
A place impossible to get out of, as by a lock.
- Sergestus, eager with his beak to press / Betwixt the rival galley and the rock, / Shuts up the unwieldy Centaur in the lock — 1697
Synonym of Dutch book.
(historical) A quantity of meal, the perquisite of a mill-servant.

verb12

•
To fasten with a lock.
- Remember to lock the door when you leave.
•
To be capable of becoming fastened in place.
- This door locks with a key.
•
To become fastened in place.
- If you put the brakes on too hard, the wheels will lock.
To freeze one's body or a part thereof in place.
•
To intertwine or dovetail.
- with his hands locked behind his back
- We locked arms and stepped out into the night.
(Internet) To modify (a thread) so that users cannot make new posts in it.
•
(Internet) To prevent a page from being edited by other users.
- Frequently-vandalized pages are generally locked to prevent further damage.
To raise or lower (a boat) in a lock.
To furnish (a canal) with locks.
•
To play in the position of lock.
- Please don't disappoint me - you are female, aren't you? I have a lingering suspicion that you are 17 stone and lock for Tarankai. — 1980
To form a dreadlock.
To seize (e.g. the sword arm of an antagonist) by turning one's left arm around it, to disarm them.

forms

lock'd · locked · lockt · locken · locking · locks

Phrases with lock

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