bolt Meaning & Definition
What Does Bolt Mean?
Bolt is used as a noun meaning 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. It is also used to mean Latch-related senses A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism. 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. A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm. As a verb, it means To connect or assemble pieces using a bolt. As an adverb, it means Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
Word Facts for Bolt
| Part of speech | noun, verb, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /bɒlt/ |
| Synonyms | bang, dash and abscond |
| Antonyms | unbolt |
| Plural | bolts |
| Verb forms | bolts, bolting, bolted |
Bolt Definition (Noun)
- 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 A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism. 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. A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm.
- A sliding pin or bar in a lock or latch mechanism.
- 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.
- A sliding mechanism to chamber and unchamber a cartridge in a firearm.
- An iron to fasten the legs of a prisoner; a shackle; a fetter.
- A stalk or scape (of garlic, onion, etc).
- A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth. The standard linear measurement of canvas for use at sea: 39 yards.
- The standard linear measurement of canvas for use at sea: 39 yards.
- Senses involving sudden movement
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.
A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt. (See thunderbolt.)
He had seen lightning bolts yesterday night.
- 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.
- A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt. (See thunderbolt.)
He had seen lightning bolts yesterday night.
- A sudden event, action or emotion.
The problem's solution struck him like a bolt from the blue.
- A sudden spring or start; a sudden leap aside.
The horse made a bolt.
- A sudden flight, as to escape creditors.
- A refusal to support a nomination made by the party with which one has been connected; a breaking away from one's party.
- A burst of speed or efficiency.
Bolt as a Verb
- 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.
- To escape.
- To cause to start or spring forth; to dislodge (an animal being hunted).
to bolt a rabbit
- To strike or fall suddenly like a bolt.
- To produce flower stalks and flowers or seeds quickly or prematurely; to form a bolt (stalk or scape); to go to seed.
Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.
- To swallow food without chewing it.
- 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!
- To refuse to support a nomination made by a party or caucus with which one has been connected; to break away from a party.
- To utter precipitately; to blurt or throw out.
Bolt as an Adverb
- Suddenly; straight; unbendingly.
The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.
Verb
- To sift, especially through a cloth.
- To sift the bran and germ from wheat flour.
Graham flour is unbolted flour; in contrast, some other flours have been bolted.
- To separate, assort, refine, or purify by other means.
- To discuss or argue privately, and for practice, as cases at law.
Noun
- A sieve, especially a long fine sieve used in milling for bolting flour and meal; a bolter.
Noun
- A lightning spark, i.e., a lightning bolt.
- A large roll of fabric or similar material, as a bolt of cloth.
24 March 1774 - Newspaper: Stamford Mercury - "Mr. Cole, Basket-maker...has lost near 300 boults of rods" https//www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000254/17740324/001/0001
Verb
- To secure a door by locking or barring it.
Bolt the door.
- To flee, to depart, to accelerate suddenly.
Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.
- Of a plant, to grow quickly; to go to seed.
Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.
Synonyms of Bolt
Antonyms of Bolt
Bolt in a Sentence
He had seen lightning bolts yesterday night.
The problem's solution struck him like a bolt from the blue.
The horse made a bolt.
Bolt the vice to the bench.
Bolt the door.
Seeing the snake, the horse bolted.
The actor forgot his line and bolted from the stage.
to bolt a rabbit
Lettuce and spinach will bolt as the weather warms up.
Come on, everyone, bolt your drinks; I want to go to the next pub!
The soldiers stood bolt upright for inspection.
Graham flour is unbolted flour; in contrast, some other flours have been bolted.
24 March 1774 - Newspaper: Stamford Mercury - "Mr. Cole, Basket-maker...has lost near 300 boults of rods" https//www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000254/17740324/001/0001
Graham flour is unbolted flour.
Word Forms & Grammar
bolt (plural bolts)
bolt (third-person singular simple present bolts, present participle bolting, simple past and past participle bolted)
bolt (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Bolt
Origin of Bolt
Origin 1: 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”).[1] Akin to Dutch and West Frisian bout, German Bolz or Bolzen, Danish bolt, Swedish bult, Icelandic bolti.
Origin 2: The association of thunder and lightning with 'bolts' is found back into prehistory in many cultures, at least in Eurasia.[2] It comes from the long-standing widespread belief that lightning was caused by bolts, darts, or stones hurtling down from the sky to the earth.[3][4] This belief was still regarded as commonplace until at least 1929.[5]
Origin 3: From Middle English bulten, from Anglo-Norman buleter, Old French bulter (modern French bluter), from a Germanic source originally meaning "bag, pouch" cognate with Middle High German biuteln (“to sift”), from Proto-Germanic *buzdô (“beetle, grub, swelling”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰūs- (“to move quickly”). Cognate with Dutch buidel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bolt
Is bolt a noun or a verb?
Bolt is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb and an adverb.
What is another word for bolt?
You can replace bolt with words such as bang, dash and abscond. See the full list of bolt synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of bolt?
The opposite of bolt is unbolt.
What is the plural of bolt?
The plural of bolt is bolts.
What is the past tense of bolt?
The past tense of bolt is bolted. The present participle is bolting.