a movable bar or rod that when slid into a socket fastens a door, gate, etc.
2.
the part of a lock that is shot from and drawn back into the case, as by the action of the key.
3.
any of several types of strong fastening rods, pins, or screws, usually threaded to receive a nut.
4.
a sudden dash, run, flight, or escape.
5.
a sudden desertion from a meeting, political party, social movement, etc.
6.
a length of woven goods, esp. as it comes on a roll from the loom.
7.
a roll of wallpaper.
8.
Bookbinding. the three edges of a folded sheet that must be cut so that the leaves can be opened.
9.
a rod, bar, or plate that closes the breech of a breechloading rifle, esp. a sliding rod or bar that shoves a cartridge into the firing chamber as it closes the breech.
10.
a jet of water, molten glass, etc.
11.
an arrow, esp. a short, heavy one for a crossbow.
12.
a shaft of lightning; thunderbolt.
13.
a length of timber to be cut into smaller pieces.
14.
a slice from a log, as a short, round piece of wood used for a chopping block.
–verb (used with object)
15.
to fasten with or as with a bolt.
16.
to discontinue support of or participation in; break with: to bolt a political party.
17.
to shoot or discharge (a missile), as from a crossbow or catapult.
18.
to utter hastily; say impulsively; blurt out.
19.
to swallow (one's food or drink) hurriedly: She bolted her breakfast and ran to school.
20.
to make (cloth, wallpaper, etc.) into bolts.
21.
Fox Hunting. (of hounds) to force (a fox) into the open.
–verb (used without object)
22.
to make a sudden, swift dash, run, flight, or escape; spring away suddenly: The rabbit bolted into its burrow.
23.
to break away, as from one's political party.
24.
to eat hurriedly or without chewing.
25.
Horticulture. to produce flowers or seeds prematurely.
–adverb
26.
Archaic. with sudden meeting or collision; suddenly.
—Idioms
27.
bolt from the blue, a sudden and entirely unforeseen event: His decision to leave college was a bolt from the blue for his parents. Also, bolt out of the blue.
28.
bolt upright, stiffly upright; rigidly straight: The explosive sound caused him to sit bolt upright in his chair.
29.
shoot one's bolt, Informal. to make an exhaustive effort or expenditure: The lawyer shot his bolt the first day of the trial and had little to say thereafter.
Origin: bef. 1000; ME (n., v., and adv.), OE (n.), c. D bout, G Bolz
A bar made of wood or metal that slides into a socket and is used to fasten doors and gates.
A metal bar or rod in the mechanism of a lock that is thrown or withdrawn by turning the key.
A fastener consisting of a threaded pin or rod with a head at one end, designed to be inserted through holes in assembled parts and secured by a mated nut that is tightened by applying torque.
A sliding metal bar that positions the cartridge in breechloading rifles, closes the breech, and ejects the spent cartridge.
A similar device in any breech mechanism.
A short, heavy arrow with a thick head, used especially with a crossbow.
A flash of lightning; a thunderbolt.
A sudden or unexpected event: The announcement was a veritable bolt.
A sudden movement toward or away.
A large roll of cloth of a definite length, especially as it comes from the loom.
v.
bolt·ed, bolt·ing, bolts
v.
tr.
To secure or lock with or as if with a bolt.
To arrange or roll (lengths of cloth, for example) on or in a bolt.
To eat (food) hurriedly and with little chewing; gulp.
To desert or withdraw support from (a political party).
To utter impulsively; blurt.
Archaic To shoot or discharge (a missile, such as an arrow).
v.
intr.
To move or spring suddenly.
To start suddenly and run away: The horse bolted at the sound of the shot. The frightened child bolted from the room.
To break away from an affiliation, as from a political party.
Botany To flower or produce seeds prematurely or develop a flowering stem from a rosette.
[bohlt] 
