Lock

lok, n. a device to fasten doors, .: an enclosure in a canal for raising or lowering boats: the part of a firearm by which it is discharged: a grapple in wrestling: a state of being immovable: any narrow, confined place.— v.t. to fasten with a lock: to fasten so as to impede motion: to shut up: to close fast: to embrace closely: to furnish with locks.— v.i. to become fast: to unite closely.— ns. Lock′age , the locks of a canal: the difference in their levels, the materials used for them, and the tolls paid for pa ing through them; Lock′-chain , a chain for fastening the wheels of a vehicle by tying the rims to some part which does not rotate; Lock′er , any closed place that may be locked; Lock′et , a little ornamental case of gold or silver, usually containing a miniature.— adj. Lock′fast , firmly fastened by locks.— ns. Lock′gate , a gate for opening or closing a lock in a canal or river; Lock′-hos′pital (see Hospital ); Lock′house , the lock-keeper's house; Lock′-jaw , Locked′-jaw , a contraction of the muscles of the jaw by which its motion is suspended; Lock′-keep′er , one who keeps or attends the locks of a canal; Lock′out , the act of locking out, esp. used of the locking out of a teacher by the pupils or vice versâ , or of the refusal of an employer to admit his workmen within the works as a means of coercion; Locks′man , a turnkey; Lock′smith , a smith who makes and mends locks; Lock′stitch , a stitch formed by the locking of two threads together; Lock′up , a place for locking up or confining persons for a short time.— Not a shot in the locker ( naut. ), not a penny in the pocket. [A.S. loca , a lock; Ice. loka , a bolt, Ger. loch , a dungeon.]