bolt
bolt1 / bōlt/ •
n. 1. a metal pin or bar, in particular: ∎ a bar that slides into a socket to fasten a door or window. ∎ a threaded pin that screws into a nut and is used to fasten things together. ∎ the sliding piece of the breech mechanism of a rifle. ∎ (in rock climbing) a long pin that is driven into a rock face so that a rope can be attached to it.2. a short heavy arrow shot from a crossbow.3. a flash of lightning leaving a jagged line across the sky.•
v. [tr.] fasten (something) with a metal pin or bar, in particular: ∎ fasten (a door or window) with a bar that slides into a socket: all the doors were locked and bolted. ∎ [tr.] fasten (an object) to something else with a bolt: a camera was bolted to the aircraft.PHRASES: a bolt from (or out of) the blue a sudden and unexpected event or piece of news: the job came like a bolt from the blue. bolt upright upright, with the back rigid and straight: she sat bolt upright in bed.have shot one's bolt inf. have done all that one is able.
bolts
bolt2 • v. 1. [intr.] (of a horse or other animal) run away suddenly out of control: the horses shied and bolted. ∎ [intr.] (of a person) move or run away suddenly: they bolted down the stairs. ∎ (of a plant) grow tall quickly and stop flowering as seeds develop: the lettuces have bolted. 2. [tr.] (often bolt something down) eat or swallow (food) quickly: it is normal for puppies to bolt down their food.PHRASES: make a bolt for try to escape by moving suddenly toward (something): Ellie made a bolt for the door.bolt3 • n. a roll of fabric, originally as a measure: the room is stacked with bolts of cloth.bolt4 (also boult) • v. [tr.] archaic pass (flour, powder, or other material) through a sieve.bolt
Hence bolt vb. dart off XIII; fasten with a bolt XVI.
Bolt
Bolt
a bundle; a compact packet; a roll of woven fabric.
Examples: bolt of canvas [40 yards], 1638; of cloth [40 yards]; of fabric; of glass [molten cylindrical jet]; of osiers [willow twigs], 1725; of satin, 1592; of silk [40 yards]; of straw; of worsted, 1407.