Word: bolt Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English bolt, from Old English bolt, from Proto-West Germanic *bolt, from Proto-Germanic *bultaz, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeld- (“to knock, strike”). Compare Lithuanian beldu (“I knock”), baldas (“pole for striking”). Akin to Dutch and West Frisian bout, German Bolz or Bolzen, Danish bolt, Swedish bult, Icelandic bolti. The association of thunder and lightning with 'bolts' is found back into prehistory in many cultures, at least in Eurasia. It comes from the long-standing widespread belief that lightning was caused by bolts, darts, or stones hurtling down from the sky to the earth. This belief was still regarded as commonplace until at least 1929. Pronunciation: /bɒlt/, /bəʊlt/, [bɔʊɫt], /boʊlt/ 1. A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut then threaded on the other end; a heavy machine screw. 2. Latch-related senses Example: There was the noise of a bolt shot back, and the door opened a few inches, enough to show a long snout and a pair of sleepy blinking eyes. 3. Latch-related senses 4. Latch-related senses 5. An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter. Example: He shall to prison, and there die in boults. Example: Away with him to prison! Lay bolts enough upon him: 6. A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc). Example: All kinds of vegetables may be used as a topping, but the best are strongly flavoured ones without too much moisture, such as celery, garlic bolts, chives, scallions, or various beans (long beans, green beans etc.) ... Example: She ordered Cat's Ear Noodles heaped with garlic bolts and tomatoes, the broth thick with cumin, laced with black vinegar. The girl caught her accent, the sibilant sing-song of the south, and smiled, tilting her head questioningly. 7. A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth. Example: Mr. Cole, Basket-maker...has lost near 300 boults of rods Example: Not only were the old sails being mended, but new sails were coming on board, and bolts of canvas, and coils of rigging; in short, everything betokened that the ship's preparations were hurrying to a close. 8. A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth. 9. Senses involving sudden movement 10. Senses involving sudden movement Example: He had seen lightning bolts yesterday night. 11. Senses involving sudden movement Example: The problem's solution struck him like a bolt from the blue. Example: With a bolt of fright he remembered that there was no bathroom in the Hobhouse Room. He leapt along the corridor in a panic, stopping by the long-case clock at the end where he flattened himself against the wall. 12. Senses involving sudden movement Example: The horse made a bolt. 13. Senses involving sudden movement Example: This gentleman was so hopelessly involved that he contemplated a bolt to America — or anywhere. 14. Senses involving sudden movement Labels: US 15. Senses involving sudden movement Example: In the event they lacked a proper midfield bolt, with Toni Kroos and Sami Khedira huffing around in pursuit of the whizzing green machine. The centre-backs looked flustered, left to deal with three on two as Mexico broke. Löw’s 4-2-3-1 seemed antiquated and creaky, with the old World Cup shark Thomas Müller flat-footed in a wide position.