bolt

Meaning

Noun

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.
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.
8. A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
9. A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
10. A sudden spring or start; a sudden leap aside.
11. A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
12. (US) 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.
14. A burst of speed or efficiency.
15. A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc).

Verb

1. (transitive) To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To affix in a crude or unnatural manner.
3. (transitive) To secure a door by locking or barring it.
4. (intransitive) To flee, to depart, to accelerate away suddenly.
5. (intransitive) To escape.
6. (transitive) To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge (an animal being hunted).
7. To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
8. (intransitive) To produce flower stalks and flowers or seeds quickly or prematurely; to form a bolt (stalk or scape); to go to seed.
9. (transitive) To swallow food without chewing it.
10. (transitive) To drink one's drink very quickly; to down a drink.
11. (US) To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
12. To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.

Adv

Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.

Verb

1. To sift, especially through a cloth.
2. To sift the bran and germ from wheat flour.
3. To separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
4. To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.

Synonyms

latch

bar

lock

🔒

screw

dash

💨

dart

🎯

thunderbolt

run off

hasp

gobble

pin

run

rush

fly

✈️

flash

roll

lightning

slap

scoot

shut

close

fasten

run out

bolt out

beetle off

catch

bolt of lightning

speed

rigidly

sprint

abscond

crossbar

guzzle

stiffly

gulp

absquatulate

cram

break

secure

run away

bound

rivet

shoot

padlock

charge

make off

race

hook

🪝

bang

drink

🥤

Translations

Bolzen

verrou

boulon

tornillo

Riegel

Schraube

bullone

chiavistello

parafuso

catenaccio

cerrojo

verriegeln

bout

verrouiller

grendelen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/bɒlt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bolt

Inherited from Old English: bolt

Cognate with Lithuanian: beldu

Cognate with German: Bolz

Cognate with Danish: bolt

Cognate with Swedish: bult

Cognate with Icelandic: bolti

Cognate with French: bluter

Cognate with Middle High German: biuteln

Cognate with Dutch: buidel

In summary

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.