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lock

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The definition of a lock is a device or a tool for holding or securing, or an enclosed canal with a series of gates that raise and lower ships to the level of adjoining water.

(noun)

An example of a lock is a hole for a key on a doorknob.
An example of a lock is a mechanical device in the Panama Canal that uses gates to enclose changing water levels.

Lock is defined as to secure, trap or fasten.

(verb)

An example of to lock is to trap someone in a basement.

See lock in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a mechanical device furnished with a bolt and, usually, a spring, for fastening a door, strongbox, etc. by means of a key or combination
anything that fastens something else and prevents it from opening, turning, etc.
a locking together; jam
an enclosed part of a canal, waterway, etc. equipped with gates so that the level of the water can be changed to raise or lower boats from one level to another
the mechanism of a firearm used to explode the ammunition charge; gunlock
air lock (sense )
Slang a certainty; sure thing: our team is a lock to win the title
Wrestling a hold in which a part of the opponent's body is firmly gripped: armlock

Origin: ME < OE loc, a bolt, bar, enclosure, prison, akin to Ger loch, a hole, ON lok, a lid, prob. < IE base *leug-, to bend > Gr lygos, supple twig, L luctȧri, to struggle

transitive verb

to fasten (a door, trunk, etc.) by means of a lock
to keep from going in or out; shut (up, in or out); confine: locked in jail
to fit closely; link; intertwine: to lock arms
to embrace tightly
to jam or force together so as to make immovable: locked gears, locked brakes
to put in a fixed position: a throttle locked in the idle position
☆ to equip (a canal, etc.) with a lock or locks
to move or pass (a ship) through a lock
Printing to fasten (type elements) in a chase or on the bed of a press by means of quoins: often with up

intransitive verb

to become locked
to be capable of being locked
to intertwine or interlock; link together
to close tightly and firmly: his jaws locked
to jam, as gears
to pass through the locks of a canal

noun

a curl, tress, or ringlet of hair
Old Poet. the hair of the head
a tuft of wool, cotton, etc.

Origin: ME lokke < OE loc (akin to Ger locke): basic sense “a bend, twist”: IE base as in lock

See lock in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing.
A section of a waterway, such as a canal, closed off with gates, in which vessels in transit are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section.
A mechanism in a firearm for exploding the charge.
An interlocking or entanglement of elements or parts.
a. Sports A hold in wrestling or self-defense that is secured on a part of an opponent's body.
b. A secure hold; control: The distributor has a lock on most of the market.
c. A sure thing; a certainty: His promotion is a lock.

verb locked, lock·ing, locks

verb, transitive

a. To fasten the lock of: close and lock a drawer.
b. To shut or make secure with or as if with locks: locked the house.
To confine or exclude by or as if by means of a lock: locked the dog in for the night; locked the criminal up in a cell.
To fix in place so that movement or escape is impossible; hold fast: The ship was locked in the ice through the winter. She felt that she had become locked into a binding agreement.
a. To sight and follow (a moving target) automatically: locked the enemy fighter in the gun sights.
b. To aim (a weapon or other device) at a moving target so as to follow it automatically: “The pilot had locked his targeting radar on the slow-moving frigate” (Ed Magnuson).
To engage and interlock securely so as to be immobile.
To clasp or link firmly; intertwine: locked arms and walked away.
To bind in close struggle or battle: The two dogs were locked in combat.
a. To equip (a waterway) with locks.
b. To pass (a vessel) through a lock.
Printing
a. To secure (letterpress type) in a chase or press bed by tightening the quoins.
b. To fasten (a curved plate) to the cylinder of a rotary press.
To invest (funds) in such a way that they cannot easily be converted into cash.
Computer Science
a. To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.
b. To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.

verb, intransitive

To become fastened by or as if by means of a lock: The door locks automatically when shut.
To become entangled; interlock.
To become rigid or immobile: The mechanism tends to lock in cold weather.
To pass through a lock or locks in a waterway.

Phrasal Verb: lock out To withhold work from (employees) during a labor dispute.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English loc, bolt, bar

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