bolt
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.
Noun 4 meanings
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.
Latch-related senses
An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc).
Verb 4 meanings
To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt.
“Bolt the vice to the bench.”
To affix in a crude or unnatural manner.
To secure a bolt or bolts; to lock using a bolt.
“Bolt the door.”
To flee, to depart, to accelerate away suddenly.
“Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.”
Adverb 1 meaning
Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
“The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.”
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”).
Similar and opposite words
BOLT at a glance
BOLT has 4 letters and scores 6 points in Scrabble (B 3 + O 1 + L 1 + T 1) and 8 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #6,555 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with bolt
All rhymes- REVOLT9
- HOLT7
- COLT6
- VOLT7
- THUNDERBOLT17
- JOLT11
- DOLT5
- MOLT6
- DEADBOLT12
- UNBOLT8
- SMOLT7
- KILOVOLT15
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