lock
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /lɒk/
enpr: lŏk
ipa: /lɑk/
rhymes: -ɒk
homophone: Locke
homophone: (Anglicised) loch
homophone: lough
homophone: lakh (one pronunciation)
homophone: lark (non-rhotic)
homophone: lawk (cot–caught merger)
Forms: form: locks
Etymology: From Middle English lok, from Old English loc, from Proto-West Germanic *lok, from Proto-Germanic *luką from Proto-Indo-European *lewg- (“to bend; turn”).
Cognate with Cimbrian loch, lòch (“hole”), Dutch lok (“hole”), German Loch (“hole”), German Low German Lock (“hole”), Luxembourgish Lach (“hole”), Vilamovian łöch (“hole”), Yiddish לאָך (lokh, “hole”), Danish låg (“lid, cover”), Norwegian Bokmål lokk (“lid, cover”), Norwegian Nynorsk lok, lokk (“lid, cover”).
more detail
The verb is from Middle English locken, lokken, louken, from Old English lūcan, Proto-West Germanic *lūkan, from Proto-Germanic *lūkaną. Cognate with Dutch luiken (“to close, to shut”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål lukke (“to close, to shut”), Faroese lúka (“to end, to finish”), Icelandic ljúka (“to close, to shut”), Norwegian Nynorsk lukka (“to close, to shut”). Related to luxe via Latin.
Senses: examples: text: "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.
ref: 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:
text: We tiptoed into the house, up the stairs and along the hall into the room where the Professor had been spending so much of his time. 'Twas locked, of course, but the Deacon man got a big bunch of keys out of his pocket and commenced to putter with the lock.
ref: 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter XIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
glosses: Something used for fastening, which can only be opened with a key or combination.
examples: text: [T]he application must first acquire a lock on a file or a portion of a file before reading data and modifying it.
ref: 2005, Karl Kopper, The Linux Enterprise Cluster:
topics: computing
engineering
mathematics
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
sciences
glosses: A mutex or other token restricting access to a resource.
examples: text: Here the canal came to a check, ending abruptly with a large lock.
ref: 1846, William Makepeace Thackeray, Notes of a Journey from Cornhill to Grand Cairo:
glosses: A segment of a canal or other waterway enclosed by gates, used for raising and lowering boats between levels.
examples: text: "I never saw such a gun in my life," replied poor Winkle, looking at the lock, as if that would do any good.
ref: 1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “(please specify the chapter name)”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC:
topics: engineering
firearms
government
military
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
politics
tools
war
weaponry
glosses: The firing mechanism.
examples: text: Even though he had not yet done so, Jack felt he had a lock on the game.
ref: 2003, Charley Rosen, The Wizard of Odds:
glosses: Complete control over a situation.
examples: text: Brian thinks she's a lock to get a scholarship somewhere.
ref: 2004, Avery Corman, A perfect divorce:
glosses: Something sure to be a success.
topics: gambling
games
glosses: Synonym of Dutch book.
synonyms: word: Dutch book
examples: text: Ashton only had to wait three minutes for his second try, lock Louis Deacon setting it up with a rollocking line-break, before Romania got on the scoreboard courtesy of a penalty from fly-half Marin Danut Dumbrava.
ref: 2011 September 24, Ben Dirs, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania”, in BBC Sport:
topics: ball-games
games
hobbies
lifestyle
rugby
sports
glosses: A player in the scrum behind the front row, usually the tallest members of the team.
examples: text: [O]n may of his lecture days I have seen all Albemarle Street closed by a "lock" of carriages, filled with women of distinction, until the servants of the Institution or their own footmen advanced to the carriage-doors with the intelligence that Mr. Coleridge had been suddenly taken ill.
ref: 1834 September–November; 1835 January, Thomas De Quincey, “Samuel Taylor Coleridge”, in Autobiographic Sketches: With Recollections of the Lakes (De Quincey’s Works; II), London: James Hogg & Sons, →OCLC, page 207:
glosses: A fastening together or interlacing; a closing of one thing upon another; a state of being fixed or immovable.
examples: text: Sergestus, eager with his beak to press / Betwixt the rival galley and the rock, / Shuts up the unwieldy Centaur in the lock
ref: 1697, Virgil, “The Fifth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
glosses: A place impossible to get out of, as by a lock.
glosses: A device for keeping a wheel from turning.
examples: text: They must be also practis'd in all the Locks and Gripes of Wrestling
ref: [1644], [John Milton], Of Education. To Master Samuel Hartlib, [London: […] Thomas Underhill and/or Thomas Johnson], →OCLC:
glosses: A grapple in wrestling.
Hyponyms: airlock
ankle lock
caplock
caps lock
capslock
Caps Lock
child lock
core lock
deadlock
dial lock
doglock
double shoulder lock
flash lock
flat lock
flintlock
gridlock
gunlock
gust lock
job lock
knob lock
leglock
liplock
livelock
lock gate
matchlock
num lock
overlock
padlock
scroll lock
shift lock
staircase lock
tide lock
time lock
wheellock
Windsor Locks
Derived terms: sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: air lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: alcolock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: anklelock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: armlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: bikelock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: bike lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: boxlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: brainlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: Bramah lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: button lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: cannon lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: chinlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: clasp lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: cliplock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: combination lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: couch lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: couchlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: deathlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: differential lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: diff lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: D lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: double lock standing seam
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: drop lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: drop-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: electric lock pick
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: Enfield Lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: eyelock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: facelock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: fermentation lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: fetlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: fetterlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: firelock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: flatlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: frame lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: genlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: gimbal lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: guard lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hammerlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: handlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hardlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hashlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: have it on lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: headlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hep-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hip lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hock lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: horse-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hydrolock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: hydrostatic lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: inlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: interlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: jail lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: Janus-faced lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: joint lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: keycard lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: keylock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: leg lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lidlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: line lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: liner lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lip-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lip lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockage
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockblade
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockbolt
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockbox
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockchamber
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock convoy
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockdown
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock-down
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locker
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockfast
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockful
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: Lock Haven
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock hospital
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockhouse
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockjaw
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockkeeper
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock key
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockless
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locklike
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockmaker
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockmaking
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockmaster
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locknote
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locknut
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock pick
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock-pick
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockpick
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockpicker
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock pick gun
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockpicking
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock-picking
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock picking
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockpin
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockplate
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: Lockport
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockring
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock screen
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockset
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockshield
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockside
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locksman
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locksmith
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locksmithery
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locksmithing
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: locksport
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock-step
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockstep
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock stitch
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockstitch
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock, stock and barrel
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock time
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: Locktober
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lock-weir
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: Lockwood
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: lockwork
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: love-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: love lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: maglock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: manlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: mindlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: mortise lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: multilock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: necklock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: oarlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: O-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: percussion lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: permutation lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: picklock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: picture lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: puzzle lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: rebounding lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: rim lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: ring-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: riplock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: safety lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: scalp lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: sealock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: seat lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: side-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: slock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: snaplock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: spinlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: spring lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: stasis lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: stock lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: suitlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: taglock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: threadlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: tick a lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: tidal lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: tightlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: triple lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: triple-lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: twistlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: under lock and key
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: uplock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: vapor lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: vapour lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: wagon lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: weighlock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: wheel lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: window lock
sense: Derived terms of lock (noun) without hyponyms
word: wristlock