- lock
- I
[[t]lɒk[/t]]n.1) bui a device for securing a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc2) bui any contrivance for fastening or securing something3) (in a firearm)the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock4) civ an enclosed chamber in a canal, dam, etc., with gates at each end, for raising or lowering vessels from one level to another by admitting or releasing water5) hyd an air lock or decompression chamber6) cvb complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold:to have a lock on the senatorial nomination[/ex]7) sts Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing8) spo any of various wrestling holds, esp. a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head9) to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks10) to shut in by or as if by means of a lock, as for security or restraint11) to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock:to lock the steering wheel on a car[/ex]12) to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining:to lock arms[/ex]13) to hold fast in an embrace14) civ to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal15) civ to furnish with locks, as a canal16) to become locked:This door locks with a key[/ex]17) bui to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked:gears that lock into place[/ex]18) to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel19) phv lock ina) to commit to unalterablyb) bus (of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities20) cvb elo phv lock on, to track an object automatically by electronic means21) phv lock outa) to keep out by or as if by a lockb) to subject (employees) to a lockout22) phv lock upa) to imprison for a crimeb) pri to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoinsc) to fasten or secure with a lock or locksd) to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etce) to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts•Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE loc fastening, bar, c. OS lok, OHG loh hole, ON lok lid, end, Go -luk in usluk opening lock′a•ble, adj. IIlock[[t]lɒk[/t]] n.1) a tress, curl, or ringlet of hair2) locksa) the hair of the headb) short wool of inferior quality•Etymology: bef. 900; ME locke, OE locc, c. OSlok, OHGloc, ON lokkr
From formal English to slang. 2014.