bolt

I

[[t]boʊlt[/t]]

n.

1) bui any of several types of strong fastening rods, pins, or screws, usu. threaded to receive a nut

2) bui a movable bar or rod that is slid into a socket to fasten a door, gate, etc

3) bui the part of a lock that is shot from and drawn back into the case, as by the action of the key

4) a sudden dash, flight, or escape

5) gov a sudden desertion from a political party, social movement, etc

6) tex a length of woven goods, esp. as it comes on a roll from the loom

7) bui a roll of wallpaper

8) mil (on a breechloading rifle) a sliding rod or bar that shoves a cartridge into the firing chamber and closes the breech

9) a short, heavy arrow for a crossbow

10) a thunderbolt

11) bui to fasten with or as if with a bolt

12) gov to discontinue support of or participation in; break with:

to bolt a political party[/ex]

13) to shoot or discharge (a missile), as from a crossbow or catapult

14) to say impulsively; blurt out

15) to swallow (one's food or drink) hurriedly:

He bolted his breakfast[/ex]

16) to make (cloth, wallpaper, etc.) into bolts

17) to make a sudden flight or escape

18) gov to break away, as from one's political party

19) bot to produce flowers or seeds prematurely

20) archaic suddenly

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- bolt out of bolt upright

Etymology: bef. 1000; ME, OE, c. MLG bolte, OHG bolz bolt′er, n. bolt′less, adj. bolt′like`, adj. II

bolt

[[t]boʊlt[/t]] v. t.

1) to sift through a cloth or sieve

2) to examine or search into, as if by sifting

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Etymology: 1150–1200; ME bulten < OF bul(e) ter, metathetic var. of *buteler < Gmc bolt′er, n.