bolt

Noun

bolt (plural bolts)

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. A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism.
   • 1908: Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

     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. A bar of wood or metal dropped in horizontal hooks on a door and adjoining wall or between the two sides of a double door, to prevent the door(s) from being forced open.
4. A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm.
5. A small personal-armour-piercing missile for short-range use, or (in common usage though deprecated by experts) a short arrow, intended to be shot from a crossbow or a catapult.
6. A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt.
7. A sudden event, action or emotion.

   The problem's solution struck him like a bolt from the blue.

   • 1994, Stephen Fry, The Hippopotamus Chapter 2

     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.

8. A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, chapter 20

     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.

9. (nautical) The standard linear measurement of canvas for use at sea: 39 yards.
10. A sudden spring or start; a sudden leap aside.

    The horse made a bolt.

11. A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
    • Compton Reade

      This gentleman was so hopelessly involved that he contemplated a bolt to America — or anywhere.

12. (US, politics) A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one's party.
13. An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
    • 1594, Christopher Marlowe, Edward II, London: William Jones,

      He shall to prison, and there die in boults.

    • c. 1604, William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, Act V, Scene 1,

      Away with him to prison! Lay bolts enough upon him:

Verb

bolt (third-person singular simple present bolts, present participle bolting, simple past and past participle bolted)

1. To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt.

   Bolt the vice to the bench.

2. To secure a door by locking or barring it.

   Bolt the door.

   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, chapter 24

     If that double-bolted land, Japan, is ever to become hospitable, it is the whale-ship alone to whom the credit will be due; for already she is on the threshold.

3. (intransitive) To flee, to depart, to accelerate suddenly.

   Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.

   The actor forgot his line and bolted from the stage.

   • Drayton

     This Puck seems but a dreaming dolt, […] / And oft out of a bush doth bolt.

4. (transitive) To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge (an animal being hunted).

   to bolt a rabbit

5. To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
   • Milton

     His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads.

6. (intransitive) To escape.
7. (intransitive, botany) Of a plant, to grow quickly; to go to seed.

   Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.

   • 1995, Anne Raver, “Gandhi Gardening”, in Deep in the Green: An Exploration of Country Pleasures, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, →ISBN:

     To be honest, this hasn't been my Garden of Eden year. […] The lettuce turned bitter and bolted. The Green Comet broccoli was good, but my coveted Romanescos never headed up.

8. To swallow food without chewing it.
   • 1859 Darwin, Charles, On the Origin of Species, ch 11, p 362:

     Some hawks and owls bolt their prey whole, and after an interval of from twelve to twenty hours disgorge pellets.

9. To drink one's drink very quickly; to down a drink.

   Come on, everyone, bolt your drinks; I want to go to the next pub!

10. (US, politics) To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
11. To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
    • Milton

      I hate when Vice can bolt her arguments.

Adverb

bolt (not comparable)

1. Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.

   The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.

   • Thackeray

     [He] came bolt up against the heavy dragoon.

References

Verb

bolt (third-person singular simple present bolts, present participle bolting, simple past and past participle bolted)

1. To sift, especially through a cloth.
2. To sift the bran and germ from wheat flour.

   Graham flour is unbolted flour.

3. To separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
   • Shakespeare

     ill schooled in bolted language

   • L'Estrange

     Time and nature will bolt out the truth of things.

4. (law) To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Jacob to this entry?)

Noun

bolt (plural bolts)

1. A sieve, especially a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Ben Jonson to this entry?)

Declension

Synonyms

• (shop): áruház, üzlet

Derived terms

• bolti
• boltos
• boltozat

Related terms

• skrue (screw or bolt)

Related terms

• skrue (screw or bolt)

Declension